I have a 2005 Dodge Stratus, 4 Door 4 cycl with 97k miles that just developed a thumbing sound on the drivers side while breaking. Here's what been done by myself or the notorious "mechanic buddy"

I've restored an 85 CJ7 from the ground up and I offroad it..so I have some mechanical aptitude. I've also installed many suspension lifts on many trucks in the garage.

So here's the run down on the Dodge

1) Rims are solid OEM Dodge Status
2) Tires have less than 5k miles
3) Rotors and Breaks have less than 20k miles
* rotors are not warped (verified)
* rotors have no odd wear pattern
* break pads are not clogged or chipped
4) Upper and lower ball joints are good
* lift vehicle...shake tires back and forth
5) Rotated tires and the sound is always on the driver side front.
6) Took tires off and used a 5 foot cheater bar to shake the suspension and nothing makes a thump thump sound

It's a thumbing sound (not metal to metal clink clink sound) but thump thump thump like the engine mount is bad or something. So I lifted both tires off the pavement and with force (car in Park) moved the tired back and forth. I can see the engine moving (normal) and noticed the upper radiator mounts were thumbing. So I replaced the plastic to plastic and used a rubber grommet for the upper mounts. Now the radiator upper mounts do not move. I move the tire back and forth and no more thumbing sound.

Took it for a test drive, and if I slightly apply the break going less than 10 MPH, i can hear the thumb thumb thumb sound. Let off the break and no sound, press on the break and I hear the sound.

The outer CV Boot has lost some grease...could this be the source of my thump? CV joints have ***** and cages so I would think I would hear a grinding metal to metal sound.

Car drives straight.
Is not hard to drive, turn or steer.
Does not swerve under braking or anything.

What do you guys think????


Thanks,
Sam

 

ALSO I do not feel any vibration a the brake pedal. It's smooth as silk.