On my bud's 2001 DII we noticed it makes a distinct "clink" noise when he hits the brakes in reverse. Then as soon as he pulls forward and hits the brakes it makes the same "clink." Any ideas? Someone said CV joints but when my CVs went bad I didn't get that noise. Plus, when he comes to a stop in the last 15 feet prior to full stop his tranny shifts down to first gear with a little "whirrrr" noise.

Tranny? CVs?

 

Check the rotocoupler and u-joints.

 

Could be loose brake pads, but first check your front u-joints and make sure they do, all 3 of them, have greas fittings, other wise get them replace TODAY before that drive shaft fails taking out the tranny with it.

 

Brake pads, eh? Would that explain why his brakes scream like a howler monkey? He had new pads, rotors installed about 6 months ago and they've always been loud.

His U-joints are serviceable. All but one, I should say. They all appear pretty new. Probably replaced by the previous owner.

 

The one's on the rear part of the front shaft are the one's to be worried about. No grease fittings and they will pop without any warning.

 

Recheck the u-joints, should be two on the front shaft that are not servicable that should be replaced.
What brand of brake pad and rotor did they use, brakes don't howl unless there is a problem.