Popping Noise When Turning

[Hank3]

I've been noticing a popping noise from the front suspension when I make tight turns (i.e. u-turns). It doesn't happen every time, but enough to be bothersome. When it pops, it only makes the noise once and that's it - not a series of popping noises. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Kain]

Might be a spring popping in the perch. Spraying the tops and bottoms of the springs would rid you of the noise if I'm right.

 

[Hank3]

What do you recommend spraying it with?

 

[Kain]

Heavy duty white lithium grease.

 

[Hank3]

OK - gonna go check out the local auto parts stores today.

 

[Nliiitend1]

I get it too sometimes on hard right turns under speed (i.e., heavily weighted front suspension). It's been something that bugs me, but I figured it was probably the spring slightly binding/popping, since I can't seem to find anything else that it could be...

 

[Hank3]

Well, I got the lithium grease and sprayed it on the tops and bottoms of the springs and the sound is till there. I've been hearing it lately only when backing out my driveway and turning over a slight hump.

 

[NCZ13]

i would just take it to a dealership and not worry about it

 

[SpooledupRacing]

possible axle shaft (cv going bad) but thats a long shot since it is not a continuous noise

 

[DaleNixon]

I get the same noise from mine when backing out with the wheel turned very far to the right. It only happens once (usually in the morning). It's very hard to reproduce and it doesn't happen every day.

At first I thought I had a loose lug nut or something. I've just ignored the noise lately. It's pretty rare that it happens.

 

[Hank3]

What year is your ride Dale?

 

[DaleNixon]

08.5

 

[paylew]

Happens with mine sometimes, I asked about it once and it didn't seem to be a big deal so I've ignored it. If I could recreate it then I might think about taking it to the dealer but every time I try I can't do it.

 

[Hank3]

Yeah...it definitely happens randomly. Seems like at least once or twice a week though. I don't think it's big deal either, but the sound is quite loud.

 

[DaleNixon]

Tell me about it. I thought it might be a strut popping, or my transmission mount bolt slowly snapping itself out, or a wheel bouncing around from not being tightened enough.

I barely notice it these days. I'd say it happens about twice a week.

 

[Hank3]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought I ran over something the first time I heard it.

 

[Kain]

I'm starting to notice this, too. Again, it's hard to replicate, and it only happens once after the car has been sitting for a long time, and only when at low speeds while turning. If it happened on bumps, I would think the spring/perch issue, but now it definitely sounds like a bearing.

 

[Hank3]

Long time? How long are we talking about? Mine seems to happen randomly - although it usually happens if I haven't drove the car overnight or during the course of the day when I leave for lunch or go home from work.

You really think it could be the bearings? I replaced some bad wheel bearings on my Subaru a few months ago and it never had this popping sound. It was just a whirring noise.

 

[Kain]

Not wheel bearings, strut bearings. It's hard to say since my car can go 4-5 days without being driven, and I only started hearing it since it's been stupid cold.

 

[DaleNixon]

This car sure does hate the cold :\