Mad Clicking

[RogerNeis]

When the brakes are applied to my 2011 Azera, particularly going down a step hill, a loud clicking occurs intermittently. It is loud enough to scare my wife and I have also heard it. I've taken it to the Hyundai dealer twice, and are currently stumped. Of course, the dealership folks have driven it around and tried to replicate the clicking, but to no avail. they are currently keeping the car until they can talk to the Hyundai engineering department. They have also examined the CV joints, but they seem to be in good shape. Anyone have an idea?

[Gamle-ged]

Welcome to the forum! If it's not TOO loud it sounds like it might be an actuation of the ABS...

[roux]

IMO, it can be because of brake friction.

[Gualpmale]

Thanks for the info Mine has been clicking/creaking for a while now and its been driving me crazy. Last time I went to the dealership, they lubed something, but it didnt work.

[07azera]

Could be motor mounts, the load on the front axle shifts as you hit the brakes. dont know how many miles your car has. But check for any marks on the front suspension. Something might moving in there when you hit the brakes. Then it depends on the noise is it periodic or just random.

[lothian]

When the brakes are applied to my 2011 Azera, particularly going down a step hill, a loud clicking occurs intermittently.

is the "clicking" consistent and repeatable with each brake actuation? does the clicking diminish in volume and rhythm as the car slows? is the "click" more accurately like a loud "bong" or "crack" that occurs once, or maybe twice? do you hear it during hard (lock-to-lock) turns?

if you can confirm through some basic tests that the noise accompanies not just tire rotation but tire rotation under specific strain conditions and identify which corner the sound emanates (front/rear, left/right) you narrow the list of possibilities.

and those possibilities run the gamut, unfortunately. suffice it to say, none of them are good. it could be something as minor as a loose caliper bolt or general caliper noise, to something more severe such as a faulty spring or coilover, failing wheel bearing, drive axle, or other suspension component; and the list goes on. it'd be handy if you could capture the sound on your phone--you claim it's loud enough to startle your passengers--and post it into this thread.

mechanics hate cars presented to them with claims of strange intermittent sounds. one tool that's handy for troubleshooting and identifying the source of intractable automotive noises is a "Chassis Ear", a doodad that uses a remote microphone placed where a sound is suspected of originating.

i'll not go on a tear about the utter uselessness of dealerships, who rarely--if ever--troubleshoot problems or test drive cars. i suggest you investigate your problem yourself, then drive your car to a mechanic--preferably a local garage you trust rather than the odious dealership service department--with a specific directive on what you need them to repair.