front suspension popping noise

**godless-phoenix** · 02-18-2010, 10:59 AM

hey people, i need sum help with this one...i own a y2k trans am ws6 and the front suspension is making popping noises when i turn right and or turn into driveways, its pretty noticeable... i can feel it, as well as hear it...could it be i need new bushings in the front susp. or is it my ball joints?

**Crzy Lgs** · 02-18-2010, 04:36 PM

Could be a number of things. Tie rods (inner or outer), bushings, ball joints, wheel bearing or sway bar links . Going to have to visually inspect by pulling off the wheel. To check the wheel bearing jack the car up and grab the wheel at the top and bottom and wiggle back and forth. Outer tie rod check the boot for any tears and check for play in the joint by moving it up and down (same for the ball joints but sometimes you need a pry bar just for a little more leverage). Shouldn't have any real noticable play in any of the aforementioned. hope i could help.

**godless-phoenix** · 02-18-2010, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Crzy Lgs

Could be a number of things. Tie rods (inner or outer), bushings, ball joints, wheel bearing or sway bar links . Going to have to visually inspect by pulling off the wheel. To check the wheel bearing jack the car up and grab the wheel at the top and bottom and wiggle back and forth. Outer tie rod check the boot for any tears and check for play in the joint by moving it up and down (same for the ball joints but sometimes you need a pry bar just for a little more leverage). Shouldn't have any real noticable play in any of the aforementioned. hope i could help.

thanx alot, i will check some of those out...ive replaced the sway bar bushings and end links , so i know thats not it for sure

**Knight** · 02-18-2010, 04:48 PM

Check you CV joint, lol!

Not to be a smart ass, but check the lugnuts and studs on the wheel. My wifes car had a couple of lugs loosen up and it did the same thing. Hope it's nothin to serious!

**godless-phoenix** · 02-18-2010, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Knight

Check you CV joint, lol!

Not to be a smart ass, but check the lugnuts and studs on the wheel. My wifes car had a couple of lugs loosen up and it did the same thing. Hope it's nothin to serious!

your not being a smart ass at all...im sure thats not it, but wont hurt to check...CV joint? man...c'mon, hahaha

**Dr.Crash** · 02-18-2010, 08:06 PM

mine was doing the something like that and it was my hubs.

**camky99** · 02-19-2010, 05:42 AM

I had the same problem. I replaced the lower ball joint and the noise is gone.

**pewterz55** · 02-19-2010, 06:31 AM

Are you tires bad? Mine was doing that and it turned out the tires couldn't get grip when I was turnng so they would slip. It looked brutal and sounded bad too. Everyone told me it was bushings or tie rods. Took me forever to figure it out

**godless-phoenix** · 02-19-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by pewterz55

Are you tires bad? Mine was doing that and it turned out the tires couldn't get grip when I was turnng so they would slip. It looked brutal and sounded bad too. Everyone told me it was bushings or tie rods. Took me forever to figure it out

yeah, my tires a pretty bald...cheap ass pep boys tires only lasted me like a year...it only does it when i turn right though, its wierd...this one mechanic said he couldnt hear or feel anything, hes deaf and has nerve damage probably, cause its pretty obvious

**pewterz55** · 02-19-2010, 07:29 AM

Yea I took my car to numerous suspension shops and they told me the same thing. Probably cuz they couldn't figure it out.mine started with only the right also but eventually the left did it too. Take it to a tire shop and talk to them. That's wat I did and they said they were worn and an unusal wear on the front from the popping. I got new tires and it's fixed now

**godless-phoenix** · 02-19-2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by pewterz55

Yea I took my car to numerous suspension shops and they told me the same thing. Probably cuz they couldn't figure it out.mine started with only the right also but eventually the left did it too. Take it to a tire shop and talk to them. That's wat I did and they said they were worn and an unusal wear on the front from the popping. I got new tires and it's fixed now

hmmm, seems strange that just the tires would be making that noise...i just want to be sure before i fork over hundreds of dollars on new tires and an alignment...the front tires are worn more than the rear tires especially the right passenger tire, so you could be right

**pewterz55** · 02-19-2010, 10:55 AM

I know I felt the same way. I hope thats wat it is. best of luck to ya

**mike171562** · 03-17-2010, 07:36 AM

So, did you figure it out, i have a similar problem?

**godless-phoenix** · 03-18-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by mike171562

So, did you figure it out, i have a similar problem?

no not yet bud...im getting new tires and an alignment done this saturday and ill let you guys know what they think it is, im gonna guess ball joints or front control arm bushings...well see

yay! i get to blow over $800 on tires

**Smittro** · 03-18-2010, 12:08 PM

Ball joints imho..

**godless-phoenix** · 03-18-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Ball joints imho..

i hope not, kinda of expensive repair

**Shane2390** · 03-22-2010, 05:49 AM

Mine is doing this too, i think it does to left and right though. I thought it would be the rack going bad? Im going to try and find out tomorrow, one of the techs i work with has a lift and were gunna see.

**godless-phoenix** · 03-22-2010, 11:22 AM

so, got my new tires and alignment done on saturday, now its monday and the popping is gone, havent heard it since...the guy said he couldnt get the car to make the popping noise when he drove it around before the alignment and tires (of course) so, i guess its good news...but i still dont know what caused it, it coudlve just been because my alignment was wayyy off and my tires were so bald...i spent $800 so that popping noise better have gone away, haha! so pewterz55 was right ;P good job!

**pewterz55** · 03-23-2010, 03:12 AM

Woo victory! Haha I'm glad you got it figured out.

**LeadFarmer** · 03-27-2010, 09:20 AM

sorry for the thread jacking in advance, I just developed this problem as well right after I lowered my car and got stiffer shocks/struts and relocation brackets. It seems to happen only when it's cold out and only when I drive over dips in road, it's a loud popping noise but it doesn't happen when I turn left or right just over bumps. My front tires have tons of tread and my alignment is good.

suggestions?