I've got a weird problem, 07 Mk2 focus and when I start for the first time and pull away there's a light metallic clunk. I thought the brake shoes might be sticking on after releasing the handbrake and they were releasing with a bang but I've cleaned them on both sides and it's not that.
Also when you stop the car and leave it in gear but don't deploy the handbrake it still makes the noise.
It doesn't happen when you stop at the lights, it's only after turning the engine off and on again and you only have to leave it off 20 seconds and it'll clunk after starting. It seems to be related to road speed as it won't happen if you crawl but only happens once you get a tiny amount of speed up. It doesn't happen if you rev the engine while stationary so it feels related to the wheels/suspension/gearbox maybe?

Anyone have anything similar?

I've read on this forum that this can be due to an ABS self-test but don't know if that would apply to your model.

Was about to reply the same - would apply to all models with ABS

So if that's the case it's not a fault then? that's normal for the system?

36 minutes ago, Loofer said:

So if that's the case it's not a fault then? that's normal for the system?

I would have to say it's not 'normal', I've had my Mk2 for 5 years now, it's never done that...

All Mk2's with ABS should do the self test when passing 7mph the first time on a drive.

I noticed the noise would sometimes be louder than others, and sometimes last longer than others, particularly when crawling around a carpark at slow speed.  Very easy to miss if you accelerate through 7mph quickly, possibly masked by engine noise.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

All Mk2's with ABS should do the self test when passing 7mph the first time on a drive.

I noticed the noise would sometimes be louder than others, and sometimes last longer than others, particularly when crawling around a carpark at slow speed.  Very easy to miss if you accelerate through 7mph quickly, possibly masked by engine noise.

would you say it's just a metallic 'clunk'?

10 hours ago, Loofer said:

would you say it's just a metallic 'clunk'?

It can range from a single clunk through to longer twang or even a grind. 

Have to correct my earlier post though, It's 12-15mph for ABS self-test.  7mph is for automatic door locking.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

It can range from a single clunk through to longer twang or even a grind.

I fear my 'self test' may not be working. I have even tried specifically to listen for a clunk when setting off. Nothing. I thought my car mustn't have ABS but according to the original brochure, the 'studio' trim has it, and the LX is one trim level above (!).

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

It can range from a single clunk through to longer twang or even a grind. 

Have to correct my earlier post though, It's 12-15mph for ABS self-test.  7mph is for automatic door locking.

OK, thanks for the feedback, hopefully that's it, the speed correlates with mine pretty exactly.

41 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I fear my 'self test' may not be working. I have even tried specifically to listen for a clunk when setting off. Nothing. I thought my car mustn't have ABS but according to the original brochure, the 'studio' trim has it, and the LX is one trim level above (!).

Do you get an orange ABS light come up on the dash with ignition on?  All of the facelifts had ABS (in the UK at least) but I don't know exact specs of the early PFL trim levels. 

If the self test wasn't working then you should get a permanent warning light so I'm not convinced it's faulty.

It may just be that some are louder than others if you still can't hear it even with everything else switched off.

12 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Do you get an orange ABS light come up on the dash with ignition on?  All of the facelifts had ABS (in the UK at least) but I don't know exact specs of the early PFL trim levels.

Just tried it, yes, ABS comes on with ignition, but turns itself off on engine starting... Maybe I just need better hearing 😁

I've never heard it, or felt it, on our Mk2.5 nor on our old Mk3 estate.

Mk3's don't make the same noise as far as I remember.  Someone might correct me on that though.