Shocks and springs can cause a clunking noise when braking if they are loose or broken. At times, these suspension parts can benefit from an adjustment or they may need replacing. Calipers that hold the disc brake pads in place may be out of adjustment, which will cause clunking. clunking or banging noise may be audible when applying brakes on a car. Harder braking creates a louder noise at higher speeds. This can be a failure of steering parts like the rack-and-pinion steering on a front-wheel-drive vehicle or tie rod ends on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.