knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Forum rules
Please can you post items for sale or wanted in the correct For Sale section. Items / bikes for sale here will be removed without warning. Reasons for this are in the FAQ. Thanks
igoe1975
Settled in member
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:27 am
Location: fareham, hampshire

knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by igoe1975 » Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:43 pm

hello, I was getting a knocking sensation from my front end under hard braking and also it felt unsettled ! had the head bearings replaced but its still doing it ?? any ideas ? just had new fork seals also and fresh oil , its a 1989 nc30 . Also to top off my misery now the bike wont start unless you bump it ! when I press the starter button I just get a single click from relay !!! can anyone help ?

User avatar
Drunkn Munky
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 6313
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 9:37 am
Bike owned: NC30 MC21 TZR FZR GSXR RG MITO
Location: Kent

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by Drunkn Munky » Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:47 pm

Check your mudguard brackets they can give a knocking sensation when worn

User avatar
royster81
NWAA Supporter
NWAA Supporter
Posts: 2509
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:04 pm
Bike owned: VFR400R-L NC30 CBR400RR-R NC29
Location: Belfast,Northern Ireland

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by royster81 » Wed Jul 02, 2014 7:06 pm

At a guess I'd say wheel bearings and either your battery is dud or your charging system is dud and running your battery low, either way its only going to hurt you more if you don't fix it.
It's not having what you want but wanting what you've got....Loud ,Proud and Modified ....

tigerclaw
Familiar Member
Posts: 290
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:52 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by tigerclaw » Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:20 pm

Check if the discs haven't picked up material and they are biting harder and softer as the wheel turns

alexandervf
Settled in member
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:08 pm
Bike owned: NC35
Location: Greece

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by alexandervf » Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:27 pm

igoe1975 wrote:hello, I was getting a knocking sensation from my front end under hard braking and also it felt unsettled ! had the head bearings replaced but its still doing it ?? any ideas ? just had new fork seals also and fresh oil , its a 1989 nc30 . Also to top off my misery now the bike wont start unless you bump it ! when I press the starter button I just get a single click from relay !!! can anyone help ?

I am also getting this sensation from my front end under hard braking.... more like using a "pneumatic hammer drill" sensation.

Brake pads and rotors are new (Honda Original parts). I must add that changing calipers,pads and m/c has minimized a bit this sensation but...it's still there....

Wheel bearings that royster mentioned is something that did not cross my mind but is there any way i can make sure they are at fault?

Any other ideas what the problem might be?

User avatar
ChowderV4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Posts: 454
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:16 pm
Bike owned: 94 Fzr 400 3TJ ZXR400 Racer
Location: Hayle, Cornwall

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by ChowderV4 » Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:27 pm

headstock bearings? get the front end up in the air and grab both forks and check for forwards and backwards play

User avatar
royster81
NWAA Supporter
NWAA Supporter
Posts: 2509
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:04 pm
Bike owned: VFR400R-L NC30 CBR400RR-R NC29
Location: Belfast,Northern Ireland

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by royster81 » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:18 pm

Does the brake lever pulse ? Could it be warped discs ?
It's not having what you want but wanting what you've got....Loud ,Proud and Modified ....

tigerclaw
Familiar Member
Posts: 290
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:52 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by tigerclaw » Wed Jul 09, 2014 8:48 pm

Howsit take an angle grinder worth a wire wheel to the disk. Had this problem on a car, used to shake so hard under braking that we thought the marshals would Black flag us. Look for inconsistent smears of brake pad material on the disk

alexandervf
Settled in member
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:08 pm
Bike owned: NC35
Location: Greece

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by alexandervf » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:10 pm

ChowderV4 wrote:headstock bearings? get the front end up in the air and grab both forks and check for forwards and backwards play
Headstock bearings are two years old and tightened at the specified torque but i will check this also....


royster81 wrote:Does the brake lever pulse ? Could it be warped discs ?
No, brake lever is firm and steady throughout the braking procedure...Front rotors are also two years old and straight...

alexandervf
Settled in member
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:08 pm
Bike owned: NC35
Location: Greece

Re: knocking sensation from front end under hard braking

Post by alexandervf » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:15 pm

tigerclaw wrote:Howsit take an angle grinder worth a wire wheel to the disk. Had this problem on a car, used to shake so hard under braking that we thought the marshals would Black flag us. Look for inconsistent smears of brake pad material on the disk
There is almost a "mirror finish" surface on the discs on both sides due to pads bedding evenly ...

Post Reply