"Pop" in Front End

[kregg]

Hey guys I've got a question regarding my 4runner... when i make any turns or go over bumps etc. i hear a loud "pop" that seems to be coming from the floor board.. sounds sorta like a metal joint popping out of socket--if you get what im sayin--i have looked at it and nothing seems to be broken or anything ...but then again i didnt really know what to look for...my 4x4 still works, no problems steering or anything? Im confused!!!!


HELP PLEASE!!!!:awais:

 

[hossmaster]

Could be the inner tie rod ends. How many miles do you have on your steering? My tacoma is making a similiar sound as your talking about. Also, your lower control arms' cam bolts might be a bit loose and causing a tick sound.

 

[gapboi210]

I have a pop also when I turn.

 

[kregg]

i have jusst over 116000 miles on it and as far as i know nothing has been done to it... may be a dumb question but what would a bad tie rod end look like exactly?

 

[Finelygotone]

Very simply, the tie rod should rotate around the ends as you twist it. The inner end is inside of the rack boot with the outer being exposed. The movement will be stiff with no up and down or side to side play. The inner tie rod end can be checked by grasping the rod by the rack housing and trying to move it:

In and out of the rack housing
Front to rear
Up and down

There should be no perceptible play in any axis.

The sound you are describing is more like a broken sway bar end link or missing nut (from the end link).

 

[Kmvreter]

Does the '96 use torsion bars up front. I had a similar "pop" in another vehicle. It was annoying and several attempts were made by the pros to diagnose it. Finally a guy at a suspension/spring shop found it was the fitting/adjustment "nut" at the rear end of the bar was cracked and allowed movement. Replaced it and never heard it again.

 

[p nut]

I didn't hear any "popping" sound from mine, but I did find that the endlinks were busted. I wouldn't think the endlinks would attribute to the sound that you're hearing, but might as well check them out while you're down there.

This is what it looks like (broken):

Fixed (Thanks to wab-fab):

 

[kregg]

everything seemed tight, i changed over to Mobil 1 Synthetic this weekend and when i had the skidplates off i checked everything... a cv couldnt be making this noise could it???

 

[gapboi210]

generally a cv joint will make a disticnt clicking sound. If you re having the same symptoms as me, it is a loud single pop or clunk. I hate this front suspension! I have 65K miles and I already replaced a seal where the CV joint goes into the front axle, it needs new upper ball joints and an outter tie rod. Now it starting to sound like a wheel bearing is going bad. Never ending issues. I kinda wish some one would pull out in front of me so i could hit them and have their insurance pay for all my suspension work, then i could get the 99+ headlights too!

 

[hossmaster]

When I had my Tacoma in for the ball joint recall, I found some similar popping noises when the truck was lowered and lifted off the ground. As soon as the truck would get weight on the suspension it would click or pop. The Toyota tech said that it might be the lower control arm cam bolts. I infact tighten up the front ones and they were a bit loose and that has dropped some of the noise off. I think my rear ones are still a bit loose as the steering rack is in the way of the bolt.

 

[judoant]

mine just broke the other day. It looks like any easy 2 bolt replacement. Is it that strait forward?