When the brakes are softly applied there is a light tapping or clunking sensation felt in the brake pedal?

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 LEXUS RX 300
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
It does it anywhere from one to three times. Sometimes as the vehicle is coming to a complete stop there is a clunking noise in the front. I hesitate to use the word clunking because it is not a loud or severe noise. It doesn´t feel like warped rotors. It doesn´t do it every time or when the brakes are applied hard so I don´t think it's normal ABS activation. I was going to unplug the ABS relay to see if it goes away. I was also wondering if it could be a bad speed sensor or dirty even though there are no ABS or CEL on. Since it is felt through the pedal, I don´t think it is one of the suspension components either. What are your thoughts on this?
Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 9:54 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 471 POSTS
Update, disabled ABS temporarily and noise and sensation went away so definitely in the ABS. Going to clean speed sensors and inspect reluctor rings for damage or slipping.
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Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,747 POSTS
Do you have an ABS light on? If so, we should run the codes, here is a guide to show you how:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/anti-lock-system-testing-and-repair-abs

Please let us know what you find.
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Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
Jeff,

Did you ever have the ABS, traction control, brake, or stability control light turned on? As far as the ABS, when you felt this happening, did you still have control of how quickly you stop? Have you scanned the can-bus to see if there are any codes stored in the ABS module? If you haven't, you may want to consider doing it.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know.

Joe
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+1
Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 471 POSTS
No lights came on. Always have control of stop. Don't own CAN scanner. Going to test speed sensors and clean them tomorrow as well as inspect reluctor rings.
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Monday, February 20th, 2023 AT 8:51 PM

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