I recently purchased a '01 tracker (from private owner) and the test drive went good- after a week home my husband has replaced the rotors, pads, calipers, rotated tires- and the same "thud" sound remains JUST before coming to a complete stop. A mechanic friend said possibly front bearing, drive axle or cv- from underneath, the left axle looks relatively new compared to the right,so before we go into anymore $, can you guys give me some input?? I am pretty disgusted with the thing- even though I like it and it seems to run goodenginewise, I don't want to drive it until the problem is corrected. ANY kind of input would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

Were the pads, rotors, calipers replaced because of this sound ?

Does this sound only occur while braking ?

 

Initially, yes.. it was a wooomp, wooomp, woomp sound at first, so everything was replaced... now all we get is a thug, thug, thug JUST before stopping (usually 4or 5 thugs before coming to a complete stop) I guess it could also be called clunk...if you could FEEL it, it would be considered a knock, but you can't feel it through the brake pedal... hell, we just took it to the muffler shop today and the guy had to take off a heat shield that was vibrating so bad and causing a racket...(keep telling me I like this vehicle!!!!) any ideas?? god, i wish it was something as simple as tires & alignment!!
(even though that costs just as much as cv's, axels, etc...)

 

UPDATE: Took it to the mechanics today (good guys)and they shaved the rotors and "tweaked" the brake system a bit and *poof* the problem was solved! The cost was very little and my relief was great! Also, the shop manuals I bought off e-bay arrived today - to give my husband and I alittle "light" reading!!! (they are GREAT!!)