*newb* Q - Knuckle popping sounds

[RipCordRage]

Hey,
So, I thought I would post my Q regarding my 2004 MSM making a 'knuckle-popping' sound...sometimes when I take corner, sometimes when I decelerate...it 'feels like' the frame popping...I think it is coming from my front right wheel area....anybody have any ideas or experience with this before I take it into the shop??

TIA (thumb)

 

[Aricjm15]

check the endlinks?

 

[StealthWyvern]

cv joint maybe? They generally make popping noises when turn when they are going out.

 

[Aricjm15]

cv joint maybe? They generally make popping noises when turn when they are going out.

miatas are rear wheel drive

 

[RipCordRage]

Sounds good, I've scheduled an appt w/ the dealership this am and will see what they say... If anyone else has any thoughts between now and the 24th, I'm taking any and all suggestions ...trying to get things worked out before the warranty expires Thanks!

 

[ELEmental59437]

Thrust washers/strut mounts is my guess..

 

[aMaff]

miatas are rear wheel drive

so? They still have CV axles coming out of the diff...

 

[MiaTurbo]

so? They still have CV axles coming out of the diff...

yeah, but there are no axles in the front, where the noise is coming from. Unless it's the rare JDM AWD version.

dude, if it's under warrenty, most definitly take it in... From what you say, it sounds like a ball joint. but this kind of stuff is virtually impossible to diagnois over the innernet.

 

[aMaff]

damn it, I totally missed the "coming from the front right wheel area" part.

 

[StealthWyvern]

miatas are rear wheel drive

haha didn't realize this was in the miata section... owned by the new post button!

 

[RipCordRage]

Doh!

I found some good comments here that make a lot of sense, so I printed this off along with your thoughts and will take'er in!

 

[RipCordRage]

Oh yeah, and in further observations its obviously coming from both my front ends ( L & R ) just my luck...

 

[RipCordRage]

Ok, so the werd from the dealership is that I have torn my lower control arms and they will need to be replaced...not a high priority, just the annoying sounds...

I've been thinking of redoing the front suspension/handling package anyways...

Anyone got suggestions?

Oh yeah, seems it already has height-adjustable front shocks...

 

[aMaff]

How do you tear a control arm... I wonder if they're just talking about 1 or more of the ball joints or bushings...

 

[MiaTurbo]

How do you tear a control arm... I wonder if they're just talking about 1 or more of the ball joints or bushings...

I'm sure he meant a bushing. And I'd not wait. A torn bushing could lead to suspension flopping around. Eventually the bore where the bushing goes into will get out of round and the whole arm will need to be replaced.

 

[JDM-P5]

I would guess a bushing....