Front End “Pop” Sound When Turning While Driving

[4RunnerMac]

When I turn the Steering wheel to near full lock while driving then start tuning it back I get a “popping” sound/feel coming from the front end. It only does it one time until I turn steering wheel again that far. It also happens turning both ways. It seems to be coming from the drivers side but not for sure. It does not do it while parked. I have been all underneath it while having my wife turn the wheel in the garage. Of course it doesn’t do it then that would be too easy. It only does it while driving. Everything seems tight. Has 40,000 miles. Lifts been on since it had 10,000 miles and this just started happening. Anyone have any ideas or experience something similar to this.

 

[chillfancy]

Jack up the front and inspect everything. Look for damaged boots and looseness where it shouldn't be.

 

[MeefZah]

When I turn the Steering wheel to near full lock while driving then start tuning it back I get a “popping” sound/feel coming from the front end. It only does it one time until I turn steering wheel again that far. It also happens turning both ways. It seems to be coming from the drivers side but not for sure. It does not do it while parked. I have been all underneath it while having my wife turn the wheel in the garage. Of course it doesn’t do it then that would be too easy. It only does it while driving. Everything seems tight. Has 40,000 miles. Lifts been on since it had 10,000 miles and this just started happening. Anyone have any ideas or experience something similar to this.

Both my lifted '17 and my wife's stock '17 do this, and from threads here, it's not uncommon. It seems exacerbated by a lift as mine does it more, but it is still present in stock form. It happens while turning hard and hitting a bump causing the suspension to compress while the wheels are turned. Nothing has fallen off yet so I, like most everyone else that reports it, am inclined to leave it alone (especially since no one has really conclusively tracked it down).

I agree it isn't "normal" or pleasant, but that doesn't automatically mean it's problematic.

 

[Gt4r]

I had this issue and went through a lot of posts and it can be a lot of different issues most common being:

Front Sway bar bushings or endlinks
Loose lower control arm bolts -torque to 129 ft lbs

For me, I had found that my upper control arm bolt on the drivers side had backed out over time or I may have not torqued it properly to begin with. When I torqued it back up the sound was gone.

 

[Lakers]

Haven't had this on my 4runner but had this on my silverado. After jacking it, the bolts for alignment loosened up and once I torqued those down I was good to go except it was now out of alignment.

 

[ecarpenter2]

I had this happen with my 94. It was some obscure grease fitting. Too it to a competent dealer who found the fitting and it stopped.

 

[4RunnerMac]

Thanks guys for the ideas and insight. I am going to jack it up hopefully this weekend and see if I find anything.

 

[ethandaniels]

Thanks guys for the ideas and insight. I am going to jack it up hopefully this weekend and see if I find anything.

Hey 4RunnerMac!

Did you ever figure out what happened?

 

[Jetboy]

For me, I had found that my upper control arm bolt on the drivers side had backed out over time or I may have not torqued it properly to begin with. When I torqued it back up the sound was gone.

I have found mine to do this multiple times. I now use loctite on both sides. I know of another friend with an FJ Cruiser that had the same issue but didn't catch it and the bolt ended up backing out far enough that the arm came off on one end and caused some damage. I don't know why they want to back off so badly, but they do. I usually notice it when I get a slight clunk as I stop or start moving. But it could also happen on turns.

Easy to check.