Last weekend I went wheeling for the first time, needless to say while trying to straddle two deep tracks I slid in and ended up on my axles. I was able to eventually get pulled out but now I've been having this weird noise.

Any time I'm moving forward and then I brake I get this kind of clunking sound from right in from of the brake pedal. The weird thing is that in reverse, no matter how fast I go and then brake I don't hear the sound. I just did a front brake job and I inspected my rear brakes also. I've greased everything I could find underneath the front end and its still there. I've gone through wiggling things and checking for play to see if something is loose but I've found nothing so far. I'd really appreciate some help guys, thanks.

 

Not sure what it could be but my xj was was making a clunking noise a couple weeks ago and turned out to be a loose caliper bolt.

 

I've been experiencing this odd noise (also seems to be coming from the right front) that sounds like my brake pads are made of rubber and are sort of chattering on the rotors. It makes a kind of groaning noise. I suspect its some sort of bedding issue with the pads and rotors which appear to be slightly glazed. I checked the caliper bolts but they were tight. I removed and lubed them, anyway.

 

Could be a control arm busing. Watch front wheel for movement when using brakes.
When the bushings get worn or impacted the rubber can split. This creates slop, the slop is kept tight by the 'load' of springs and weight of vehicle. When braking, load direction changes, 'clunk'.

 

I agree with the others and i'd say get under there and torque everything. You never know what else you may find. Even check you lug nuts.