Hello Men, I have a quick question. I was backing out of the driveway yesterday and heard a loud poping sound coming from either the frame or suspension as I rolled over the curb/gutter at the end of the driveway. I believe it came from the front of the car.

What would be some key areas to look at when diagnosing this problem? Thanks:thumbsup:

Loose shock, worn ball joints, control arm bushings or tie rods is where I would start.

Missing shims from the upper control arm.

Mine does this some times. Everything has been replaced and nothing is loose so I just ignore it.

Tim.

Missing shims from the upper control arm.

Mine does this some times. Everything has been replaced and nothing is loose so I just ignore it.

Tim.
Yeah, I have replaced all of my tie-rods, bushings, balljoints, sway bars, links etc. The only bushings I didn't play with are the body mount bushings.

Probably sounds wierd and I didnt think it would cause this but I had that problem in my monte when backing out and turning and it was cured with wheel bearing R&R.

I went through everything else but the bearings. Realized they had never been done or it had been years on years so did it just for kicks and because it needed it. Popping stopped after that.

Aint no pro, aint a mechanic but for some reason that was apparently the problem.

I had the same thing happen when backing out of my driveway and turning. Mine was a bad ball joint.

Probably sounds wierd and I didnt think it would cause this but I had that problem in my monte when backing out and turning and it was cured with wheel bearing R&R.

I went through everything else but the bearings. Realized they had never been done or it had been years on years so did it just for kicks and because it needed it. Popping stopped after that.

Aint no pro, aint a mechanic but for some reason that was apparently the problem.
my wheel bearings are new all around. (maybe 10,000 miles if that) I think I will start with the shims. But I am pretty sure they are all there. I think I will make sure all the bolts for the front sway bar are tight too.

Missing rubber cushion on sway bar mount will allow sway bar to clank against frame as wheels move up 'n' down.

Spring twisted in the perch can make this sound. The end of the spring is intended to fit only one way in the perch. I've seen this one a couple of times.

With new ball joints, make sure the castle nuts are tight and cotter pins are in place. If not tight, they can move up/down in the hole and snap when they do so if the suspension unloads. I have seen this one time.

Make sure bump stops are in place and it's not a control arm hitting frame.

Missing rubber cushion on sway bar mount will allow sway bar to clank against frame as wheels move up 'n' down.
Are you talking about the sway bar bushing itself, or something that is supposed to be between the bracket and the frame (like a rubber washer around the bolts)???

I have brand new sway bar bushings and sway bars.

Spring twisted in the perch can make this sound. The end of the spring is intended to fit only one way in the perch. I've seen this one a couple of times.

With new ball joints, make sure the castle nuts are tight and cotter pins are in place. If not tight, they can move up/down in the hole and snap when they do so if the suspension unloads. I have seen this one time.

Make sure bump stops are in place and it's not a control arm hitting frame.
I think they are tight...but I think this is something I will check for sure. I just reintalled stock spring. I thought I tightened them down well enough. THis poping occured both before and after replacing the stock springs.

Check to see if you have a spring not seated properly in the upper perch. I did this on one side my first time, the spring was off-center in the perch and rubbed on the frame when it extended. I only noticed any noise when I was jacking the car up though.

Are you talking about the sway bar bushing itself, or something that is supposed to be between the bracket and the frame (like a rubber washer around the bolts)???

I have brand new sway bar bushings and sway bars.
Yes, I mean the sway bar bushing. If yours are new--and still have tight bolts--you're almost certainly OK there.