Was out yerterday and started to hear a clank from my front drivers side tire area whenever I would press and release the brake pedal (1983 300SD). When I got home I pulled the tire and saw a defect (small indentation in the sidewall). The tire would not stand up if placed on the driveway. It would immediatly fall. I checked the front end and everything seemed tight. I just put a number of new parts in last summer.

Could the bad tire be causing this? Would it have an effect on the braking to such an extent that it would make a noise when the brakes are applied? or should I be checking something else?

Any ideas?

DP,

Check for a loose caliper, happened to me. I had to put an extra washer under head of bolts that hold the caliper on.

I don't think a standup test is any indication of the useability of a tire. The wheel is usually offset to one side that puts the weight off center and the tire naturally falls over. A tire not on a rim would have a better chance of standing up.

I've seen many radial tires with small indentations with no detrimental effect, especially a clunking noise. Try replacing with spare and see if noise goes away, I don't think it will because I think it is someting other than the tire.

P E H