Popping noise in suspension

[skeptikal]

Ive been experiencing a creaky popping noise when i turn my wheel in either direction. I took her into the shop and let the mechanic listen. he immediately said both front control arms/ all 4 ball joints needed to replaced. he gave me a price of 780 (390 per). any thoughts? thanks

[SILVERSURFER03]

WOW both at the same time thats odd price sounds right

[skeptikal]

Yep, theyre both definitely making the noise. is 780 what i should expect to pay anywhere?

[MOTOWN]

good lord!, do they supply the vasiline? upper control arms come w/ball joints $50-75 bucks, lower ball joints about $60 bucks each, easy install if your handy.

[skeptikal]

Wow motown, really? where can i buy them? i know i wont be able to install them myself but youre saying i could purchase the parts i need for about 275?

[MOTOWN]

rock auto.com! save your self a boatload of cash!

[skeptikal]

Thanks a lot man. Does the noise i described fit the diagnosis of bad ball joints? My lack of experience with problems like these is leaving me a little skeptikal.

[MOTOWN]

if its a screetching sound its the upper control arm bushings, which is part of the control arm, as is the upper ball joint.

i would get trw forged upper contrl arms, trw, or moog lower ball joints, from rock auto, and be done with it.

[skeptikal]

theres no screeching at all. Its more of a popping sound the comes when the wheel is turned.

[MOTOWN]

then its your ball joints about to call it quits!, check your sway bar end links as well

[skeptikal]

On rock auto there a re a lot of options. Do i need to purchase both top and bottom control arm assemblies for both sides? In other words:

MOOG Part # K80391 Control Arm w/Ball Joint
Frt Susp; Lower; RH; Incl. bushing

MOOG Part # K80392 Control Arm w/Ball Joint
Frt Susp; Lower; LH; Incl. bushing

MOOG Part # K80038 Control Arm w/Ball Joint
Frt Susp; Upper; RH; Incl. bushings

MOOG Part # K80040 Control Arm w/Ball Joint
Frt Susp; Upper; LH; Incl. bushings

All four?

[MOTOWN]

you need upper control arms w/ball joints, and lower ball joints only, you will press the new ball joints into your existing lower control arms

[skeptikal]

So two Moog upper control arms and two moog lower ball joints to install on the factory lower control arms? This is new to me :confused:

Is this the correct lower ball joint?
MOOG Part # K80141
Frt Susp; Lower

[ctrlraven]

Skeptikal, find yourself a local friend or fellow Marauder owner who likes to work on cars and throw the words pizza and beer around A LOT.

[MOTOWN]

So two Moog upper control arms and two moog lower ball joints to install on the factory lower control arms? This is new to me :confused:

Is this the correct lower ball joint?
MOOG Part # K80141
Frt Susp; Lower

yes, make sure on the uppers that you order 1 left, and 1 right control arm, and two lower ball joints

[skeptikal]

Ha, already did that minus the pizza and beer. DJV has been helping me with things quite a bit. Unfortunately I'm about as mechanically proficient as a paraplegic. I'm trying to learn quickly, but this is all foreign at this point. I'm definitely willing/trying to learn and spend the money when i need to, I want the best for Betty. Just give the youngin some time.... :whistle:

[skeptikal]

Thanks a lot motown. I'll update when I install.

[MOTOWN]

pm me if you have any questions, glad i could help bud

[ShadyLurker]

I have the next 2 weeks off of work if you need a hand.

[skeptikal]

I probably will clone, where are you located?

[ShadyLurker]

Holiday. Near Moog Rd. I get home late tomorrow for 2 weeks. Any time next week would be best. Wifey works weekends so i usually have the kids all weekend but free all week. 727 534 0029. Chris

[skeptikal]

When would it be best to give you a call?

[ShadyLurker]

Call me Sunday man. I literly do nothing all week while the wife and kids are out of the house with school and work. So Monday the 18 to Friday the 22 I can give you a hand whenever it fits your schedule.

[skeptikal]

sounds good man. I'll be able to come up there after classes, it's only about 30-40 minutes from me. Ill be ordering my parts asap. are you good with suspension and stuff?

[dmjarosz]

Funny I see this thread since I was just thinking about the popping sound in my front end. Strange thing is, it only does it when its cold outside (below 45F ish) Once the spring weather rolls around, the noise goes away and I forget about it til fall. No squeaking ever, except for the annoying hood latch issue haha.

Looks like I gotta add lower ball joints to the list before I start my eaton swap. Thanks guys!

[Big Black Beast]

Turn the air bags off & jack up the front of the car. Grab the top of the tire with both hands from the side and try to push it away/pull it toward you. Then do the bottom. There should be less than a quarter inch of movement at the edge of the tire. If there is excessive noise or looseness, it's the ball joints.

[ShadyLurker]

sounds good man. I'll be able to come up there after classes, it's only about 30-40 minutes from me. Ill be ordering my parts asap. are you good with suspension and stuff? It's not rocket science. I replaced the ball joints on my beater truck without any problems. We'll get it done. You'll have to get the front end aligned soon after though.

[JOEMERC]

How many miles on your car?just wondering all of sudden all these noises creep up.and no need to turn off air suspension if jacking up only front ,btw.

[napolitano]

Thanks a lot motown. I'll update when I install.

Hey did your install go good? I'm having the same problems over here and will have to replace the upper and lower ball joints and control arms I guess. Or can I just replace the balls joints in the lower? I see you went with Moogs, are they better than other brands?

[Spectragod]

The problem could just as easily be the bump stops needing grease or a broken coil spring.

[kingace]

Quick question I never had this problem but when I turn right sometimes my wheel makes a clapping noise what is causing this

[fastblackmerc]

Quick question I never had this problem but when I turn right sometimes my wheel makes a clapping noise what is causing this

Uhhh the clap?

[kingace]

Poping noise

[MyBlackBeasts]

Ive been experiencing a creaky popping noise when i turn my wheel in either direction. I took her into the shop and let the mechanic listen. he immediately said both front control arms/ all 4 ball joints needed to replaced. he gave me a price of 780 (390 per). any thoughts? thanks

I have recently obtained my MM and am having a great time playing with it and this wonderful forum. In reading "Black Betty"s list of improvements I see "Rear God's Head Mod". What would this be if you don't mind me asking? Thanks! :help: