Front end Suspension "Popping Noise"

[dac99011]

Hey Everyone,

My MM has been making a "popping noise" I can hear at slow speeds whether I am turning or driving straight.

The following has been replaced in the last 5k miles:

MOOG Upper/Lower ball joints
MOOG Inner/Outer Tie Rod ends
MOOG Sway bar links
Energy Suspension sway bar bushing
Slotted/drilled rotors / ceramic brakes (all 4)
I have occassionally heard the noise for the past 20k miles but most recently the noise occurs on every drive.

I replaced the shocks/coil spring (front) about 30k miles ago. I am about to replace the shocks and cut the coil (lower the front) to see if the shocks are bad.

The only items I can think to check are shocks or the wheel bearing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[fastblackmerc]

Hey Everyone,

My MM has been making a "popping noise" I can hear at slow speeds whether I am turning or driving straight.

The following has been replaced in the last 5k miles:

MOOG Upper/Lower ball joints
MOOG Inner/Outer Tie Rod ends
MOOG Sway bar links
Energy Suspension sway bar bushing
Slotted/drilled rotors / ceramic brakes (all 4)
I have occassionally heard the noise for the past 20k miles but most recently the noise occurs on every drive.

I replaced the shocks/coil spring (front) about 30k miles ago. I am about to replace the shocks and cut the coil (lower the front) to see if the shocks are bad.

The only items I can think to check are shocks or the wheel bearing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Does it make the noise when you bounce the car up & down while it is still?

Sure it's not the hood?

Try driving with the hood open (just pop it so it not fully closed).

DO NOT drive with the hood fully open!!!!

[lifespeed]

Were the tie rods installed correctly so the joints are not bound up (twisted)?

[kmastl]

Check for contact between the Moog end-links and the brake caliper. Probably wont be an issue with stock sway bar, but my addco sway bar reduced the clearance.

If its easily repeatable have someone outside the car listen closely and feel for it. Also try spraying WD40 in suspect areas until you find the cause.

[dac99011]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I did the drive around the neighborhood with the hood unlatched with no improvement (yes not all the way open ;0). I also raised the vehicle and turned the tires and could see no clearance issue with the sway bars. The noise does not occur when turning the tires with the vehicle off the ground.

Interestingly, the popping/clicking noise only occurs when the car is moving less than 2-3 MPH and turning the wheel. With the car in Park and turning the steering wheel slowly I can hear the noise. It appears to be coming from the Power Steering pump.

Checked and the Power Steering fluid is full.

Would a bad Power Steering pump make a clicking/popping noise under load (when the car is not moving or moving 1-3 mph)?

Thanks!

[MOTOWN]

Take a look at your Emergency brake pads, and hardware

[Bruce Wayne]

Mine has the same clicking noise,getting worse, can't seem to find the cause

[dac99011]

Could the Rack & Pinion system be toast? The noise seems to be coming from that area. Has anyone had to replace their Rack & Pinion system?

I'm going to take in to the stealership for an evaluation...will see what they say and post back.

[Mr. Man]

It's been a while since I've driven our MMs but I seem to recall one of them has a click. The K member was suspected by one of the members who had the same click and had eliminated the usual suspects. Our MMs will be coming out of hibernation soon and I'll see which one has the click and be looking into the K-member. Not sure what the fix would be.

[dac99011]

UPDATE: The Ford Dealership in Houston stated the body bushings were bad and they were the cause of the pop/click. They provided a quote of $1900 to fix the problem (replace body bushings).

Unfortunately, the pop/click noise seems to be coming from my front end not the body bushings.

Can anyone recommend a quality place to take your vehicle to?

Thanks.

[cgr]

I had a noise like this a number of years ago. Dealership figured out some of the main suspension bolts were slightly loose. They only saw it with a guy on top looking down, one underneath and then someone steering while it was on the left.

Sorry I can't remember which ones it was, but it was on full turns at slow speed in would just make a pop or clunk type noise.

[J.bo]

What main suspension part? Control arms, shocks or what?

[fastblackmerc]

What main suspension part? Control arms, shocks or what?

Just tighten every bolt and nut you see.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Mine makes the same noise. Ignore it.

[RF Overlord]

Must......ignore......noise... ...ARRRGGGGHH!!! It can't be done!

I even took apart the dash in my DD to fix a squeak that was driving me crazy.

[larryo340]

I've seen the body bolt washer on the body mounts directly below the drivers floorboard area make a similiar noise. It's the body bolt that goes thru a tube-like part of the frame. Why I've seen happen is that the washer is very close to the frame and contacting the frame on chassis flex. It can be greased or removed and the washer grinder down. It's worth a shot ...you never know you might get lucky.

[dac99011]

I cut my coil springs and tightened all the suspension bolts I could find. It seems slightly better.....I found a cheap fix (turn up the radio) :D

[dac99011]

Thanks larryo340. I'll give it a shot the next time I am under the car.