INSPECTION PROCEDURE 8: Groaning, Clicking or Rattling Noise when Brakes are not Applied: Diagnosis

STEP 1. Check whether foreign material has entered the wheel covers.
Q: Is there any foreign material?
1. YES: Remove it. Then go to Step 5.
2. NO: Go to Step 2.
STEP 2. Check for looseness of the wheel nuts.
Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE .

Q: Are the wheel nuts loose?
1. YES: Tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque (Refer to WHEEL AND TIRE ). Then go to Step 5.
2. NO: Go to Step 3.
STEP 3. Check for looseness of the caliper installation bolts.
Refer to FRONT DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLY <Front>, REAR DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLY <Rear (Except RALLIART)> or REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <RALLIART> <Rear (RALLIART)>.

Q: Are the caliper installation bolts loose?
1. YES: Tighten the caliper installation bolts to the specified torque (Refer to FRONT DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLY <Front>, REAR DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLY <Rear (Except RALLIART)> or REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION <RALLIART> <Rear (RALLIART)>. Then go to Step 5.
2. NO: Go to Step 4.
  
  Fig 1: Locating Caliper Installation Bolts (Front)
  Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
  
  Fig 2: Locating Caliper Installation Bolts (Rear)
  Courtesy of MITSUBISHI MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA.
STEP 4. Check the wheel bearings for end play.
Refer to WHEEL BEARING PLAY CHECK <Front>, WHEEL BEARING END PLAY CHECK <Rear (FWD)> or WHEEL BEARING END PLAY CHECK <Rear (AWD)>.

Q: Does the measured end play exceed the limit?
1. YES: Replace the faulty hub assembly (Refer to DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY <Front>, REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY <Rear (FWD)> or REAR AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY <Rear (AWD)>). Then go to Step 5.
2. NO: Go to Step 5.
STEP 5. Recheck symptom.
Q: Is the symptom eliminated?
1. YES: The procedure is complete.
2. NO: Start over at step 1. If a new symptom surfaces, refer to the SYMPTOM CHART .