stock pads do move around in the calipers when they get to 50% remaining.

Any spherical bearing based sway bar LINK is capable of making noise and most tend NOT to last very long anyway.

Try dragging the brakes a hair...as in lightly cover the brake peddle and driving at 5mph ...see if the sound remains.

Anytime you back up in an STI you will hear the pads for the first stop...shift in the caliper. The fronts AND rears will do it,..sometimes all the time and other times NOT.

Myles

 

another thing it could be actually, is axle nuts! ive ben having the same problem along with many other sti owners, maybe check it out.

refer to this thread
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-install/53796-how-replace-axle-nuts-got-click-knock-noise-try.html

 

Are they installed properly? Got pictures?

I know my Cobb bars were tricky to install because the mounts weren't properly marked.

 

Noise is coming from the front.

 

I thought it was pads. Hawk sent me a new pair but wasnt that.

 

Try tightening your front endlinks. I have KB endlinks, and tightened them to 40 lb-ft of torque to get the clanking to go away.

 

sounds like something is loose.. tighten down endlinks and bolts

 

Ive got similar problems with my front sway bar. Ive got Kartoby endlinks and a 24mm Whiteline sway up front...

Ive also noticed that the front endlinks dont sit perpendicular to the ground.
i tryed straightening them out with the extra washers that came with the links. the extra link do seem to have help straighten them out, but didnt fix the weird klunk/pop....

if anyone could shed some light on the situation, it would be greatly appreciated...

 

40 lb-ft on a torque wrench will do it for you.

 

you can also use an impact on them on a lower setting. if the whole joint is spinning just keep tapping the trigger until it finally tightens up. Ofcourse if you have no experience with this dont try it, as you will probably break the endlink.

i have also noticed my stock sti pads always squeak when reversing. but forwards is great. how many miles do you have on your car. this is what control arm bushings when worn out as with other front end components.