i just bought a 1999 corolla seca manual from a dealer. i took it in under the 3 month warranty for a clicking / clunking noise that happens sometimes when i brake, thinking something was loose. they said they checked it and corollas just sometimes make this noise and there is a special grease toyota recommends. but in reading up a bit it sounds like this grease is used for a squealing brake not a clicking brake, so i don't know if they are just trying to get out of fixing it, especially as they said they didn't personally hear the noise. has anyone heard of this clicking situation before?? thanks.

can you isolate where the noise is coming from? front? back? left? right?

My first guess would be your wheel bearings. How many miles are on your car?

Second guess, if it is coming from up front it could by your CV axle.

Things that it could also be, but highly doubt, is warped disks, bad tie rod ends, or worn out ball joints.

If you have the bearings replaced, it's a good idea to do both at the same time..and if you have the money I would recommend the the rebuild kit that comes with the seals, bearings, dust guard, and a new spindle. Parts: ~$70-125(that's the entire kit including the spindle) per side at a parts store. Labor: $100-200 per side.

You can do it yourself, but you'll have to have a machine shop press in the bearings for a bout $20-30.

thank you both for replying - the noise seems to be at the front (although when driving it today, it didn't happen of course!). it happens a split second after braking (a few times a day, i think more often when i brake a little bit harder rather than gently).

the car has gone 76 000km (47 000 miles). it has records of having semi-regular services, but not actually what was done during these services, so i'm not sure if the wheel bearings have been changed before or not.