Ok,

Issues:

1: A banging sound when I hit a bump...
- thought was bad shocks... almost bought new set!
2: Clunk when releasing brakes at stop lights.
- thought was motor mounts, after checking trans mount.

So, I went to the shop to get the banging sound looked at. Found to be my exhaust pipe hitting the crossmember/trans mount bar!
The shop that installed the Vortec Muffler did not install any muffler hanger/mounts! The only did the one at the tail pipe!
While the VX was on the lift, I asked them to give me an estimate on the motor mounts... they looked at me and asked... Why??
They showed me that the mounts were fine, and explained that all the symptoms I had could easily be caused by the exhaust not being properly hung. I was a little skeptical, and told them I'd try it and let them know...

SURE ENOUGH! No more clunk in the brakes! No more exhaust clunk! VX is happy again!!!

So, to those with the "brake clunk", especially if you have had your stock muffler replaced... check your exhaust mounts to see if they are THERE, and in good shape if they are!

Yay! Now I can go off-roading again! I haven't had this VX in the dirt YET (over a year) because of this issue. Didn't want to damage anything.

Good luck!
---JIM---