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View Full Version : Front end popping


coldfuzion76
11-29-2009, 01:03 PM
Ever since I've had my leggy, there's been a slight popping noise coming from the front end of the car while turning to the right. I thought it may have been a cv joint, but the right front was just replaced by my brother in law just before i bought it from him. This week as it has gotten colder, the noise has gotten louder and almost definately coming from the driver's side (we thought it was the passenger before). The boots on the axle on that side are in excellent shape, but the bellows for the steering rack are broken. I've never heard of a rack making this noise before, but has anyone else experienced it, or does it still seem like my axle, even though it looks great (read: looks brand new)? Everything else in the suspension SEEMS tight as i was under the car, just read about the top hat issue being possible, and going to try that right now, but any other ideas?
rudgers73
11-30-2009, 08:37 PM
Is it a cyclical popping, or a one time deal when you turn? I had a nasty popping issue that turned out to be my urethane drop link bushings loading up and slipping because I didn't crank the $hit out of them when I installed them. Worse with the cold made me think of that, b/c things get a little looser and harder in the cold that might lead to more severe shifting/moving.
Huffer
12-01-2009, 09:42 AM
Check your top hats - when you turn the wheel, the bearing inside the top hat should turn without making the rubber move. If the rubber moves, the bearing inside is binding up. You have to take the cap off the top hat to regrease the bearings, which is a temporary fix.
coldfuzion76
12-01-2009, 10:59 PM
It's a pop that would make you swear it's the axle dying. But I've never heard of one that only does it cold, and that looks brand new. Do the top hats only pop once ore do the pop in and out like the noise and axle would make?
Huffer
12-02-2009, 10:14 AM
The tophats will make the popping whenever the wheel is turned...they make a LOT of noise when they go bad.
coldfuzion76
12-02-2009, 09:12 PM
Sounding more and more like that's what my problem is. Haven't been able to check the car due to the weather and work. Well, I wanted wrx struts anyway. Looks like that will be happening sooner rather than later now.