Front Popping noise when turning hard. HELP. Please.

[jzignig]

Hey guys. So I recently posted a thread pointing out my SHOT end links, figuring that this was the cause of my popping noise when i turn. Just put kartboys on this morning and guess what? STILL POPS. :smt013 :smt013 :smt013

I'm not too happy at the moment because i really didn't plan on spending much money on my car this summer as far as maintenence goes. I'm about furious at the fact that the endlinks were not the problem.

Basically. I want to know if anyone else has any ideas. What else could it be? I checked my tophats. The rubber seal spins when i turn just fine. theres a good amount of grease as well. I just replaced balljoints last fall, which is kind of what this sounds like if you've ever heard a ball joint pop. Anyway. More info:

Along with the new balljoints i put on new axles, new bearings, new pads.

The only things i didn't replace were rotors and tie rods.

The noise is as i said similar to a balljoint popping noise. Also sometimes has a snapping sort of noise along with it. similar to bending a plastic ruler back and slapping something with it. I did also check for rubbing. there is no rubbing whatsoever. It only happens when i turn full turn, or very close to full turn. My car also sort of shimmies when i turn very hard. Which i am told is normal. This noise i driving me nuts. Also, It SEEMS to be only coming from the drivers side. But who knows.

Thank you in advance.

[goodnight1985]

It sounds like a ball joint is dead. Even though they were replaced not too long ago, it is possible that one died prematurely. Try lifting the front of the car up and grab a tire at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions and push back and forth quickly with each hand. Nothing should happen, but you might detect a small amount of play. Possibly in an inner or outer tie rod. If nothing happens, try the same procedure, but place your hands at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. You might feel play in a tie rod, control arm bushing, axle or wheel bearing. If you do find any play, but you are having trouble locating the source, have a helper move the wheel as previously described and place your hand on the suspected source. For example, if there is play in a tie rod, place your hand on it and you will feel the ball socket loosing and tightening.

Let us know how it goes.

[ouch1011]

In order to check the ball joints for play, you'll need to jack up the car from the control arms. The suspension needs to be at ride height otherwise you won't get an accurate test.

Also, check the steering rack bushings. The rack may be shifting when you turn hard.

[jzignig]

Thanks for the input guys.

I was really leaning toward ANYTHING in the steering rack. And I did mess with the ball joint cause i figured i may not have torqued in down enough when i changed them out, but nothing. rock solid. I'm leaning toward the bushings or tie rod ends now. Will keep posted.

Any more ideas shoot em out.

Thanks,

John.

[Sarra]

Pops when you turn one way, or both ways?

[jzignig]

was one, slowly started to move to the other. Its something in the steering rack. inner. its gotten bad enough i can make it snap by just shifting the wheel when parked. Im hoping that the inner tie rod ends just need greased up. or something NOT requiring a whole new steering rack assembly. lol

[Reason]

If it isnt anything to do with you steering check your axles. When I bought my 97GT just 3 years old I had the same popping sound (or close to it) and the guy at the subie dealer told me thats how Subarus are (lol) so I stayed on their case, come to find out the changed one axle and the popping went away from one side, then had them change the other one everything was fine. I'm not saying this is the case, but just keep it in mind.

[jzignig]

well reason if it IS one of the axles i will be a pissed off guy. haha

Both fronts don't even have 5k on them. I'm pretty sure ive narrowed it down to the tie rods or inner seals/ rack assembly.

since i dont beleive in sending it to a mechanic, Ill prolly start with cheapest parts first and work on out.

wish me luck. lol

[goodnight1985]

You might be surprised what a good tech can do for you. See if you can't locate an independent shop that can do a free check out for you. You can take the car in, have them figure it out and let you know. Then take the car home and do it yourself. It would most likely be cheaper than just replacing parts until your noise is gone.

[ouch1011]

^^ Agreed. Shotgun diagnostics gets expensive (and frustrating)

Then again, I'm slightly biased, since I am a tech. :)