I started getting a clunk noise about two weeks ago when braking. One evening it became a banging briefly then went back to a clunk but I started getting pulsing up the brake pedal. I had the brakes done about 10 or so months before so I was sure it wasn't the brakes. I took it to the dealership and described the problem as possibly brakes but not likely, possibly rear axle, transfer case or transmission. I explained that it did it on braking and was getting worse and I feared catastrophic failure was eminent. They said it would be $137 to diagnose it that they would apply to the repair if they found something. Ok. Better than major failure, towing, etc. I figure. The first day they said they couldn't replicate the issue and that the brakes were good, the rear axle was fine, the sensors on the transfer case were fine and everything looked ok. They offered to keep it another day and keep looking. I agreed. The second day they said they thought it was the front lower control arm bushings and it would cost $2135.00 to fix. I was like "ouch". They said well I can probably knock off $100. So I said that's still almost as much as the truck is worth (07 model year with 137,000 + miles). So he said well, I think I can knock off $170. I asked if that included the employee discount. He said Oh, your an employee! That will save you a whole bunch! That knocks it down to right at $1933.00. I told him I'd have to think about it and talk to my husband because that was a lot of money, we just bought a new house and hadn't sold the old one yet and it didn't seem to me like that was really going to fix the issue. (I told them I'm an engineer and have worked in a lot of vehicles and noise issues but this one had me baffled and while I had crawled around underneath it (I don't really wrench on my own cars anymore and hen I did it was just basic stuff like lamps and oil changes - as an engineer I always had access to mechanics). So I asked them when I could pick it up. He said they would have to put it back together but to let him know if I wanted them to order the parts. Ironically, I had the airbag recall on my truck that they told me about when I dropped it off and it came in the mail the next day so at least they did that. And they offered me a car wash when I picked it up so I got a $133.00 car wash. After conferring with my husband that night, I called Leslie tire the next day and told them what the dealership said and that I don't think after 2 $G's that my truck will be fixed. He said yes that sounds like a lot of money and doesn't sound like the issue you describe. He said, I'd be happy to take a look at it for free and let you know what I find. I reminded him he had done the brakes about a year ago. He said well if it's the brakes they'd be under warranty. When I dropped it off I again described the issue. I told him I thought that there would be an "Aha" moment and you will know when you find it. So they drove it and didn't hear anything. They put it on the hoist and looked at it and didn't see anything obvious. Since it was only about a half hour before closing they asked if I wanted to leave it and they would look at it some more in the morning. So we did. Today I called, they said it was the rear brakes. A pin had sheared off that held one of the brake shoes in place. Hallelujah! And to top it off it was covered under warranty and it was ready by close of business!!!! They have my future business for brakes, tires, struts and such for sure! read more
