Popping noise in suspension?

[duke808]

Hi all,

My runner has a popping noise in the suspension. When the car is wet (after rain, wash etc.) the popping is much worse. Happens under acceleration, turning, reverse, speed bumps, you name it. Does anybody have any idea of what this could be? It's not a nice noise, comes from what sounds like front passenger side. I had the LBJs done a couple months ago and they didn't see anything out of place.

It's in the shop today for this noise. He said it definitely needs new struts. could this be causing the noise? motor mount? any ideas welcome. car has 102k mi.

thanks!

 

[runnyrunnerton]

Obligatory "need more details" however my advice is to get more specific with your search. I have pulled my hair out looking for pops and clicks more than most.

Ill jump out front and assume you have isolated your CV's. If the clicking is worse or starts when you turn, thats it.

Get a friend. Roll every window down. Turn Everything off. Recreate the sound. Try and isolate the location. Buy a mechanics stethoscope.

Put a wrench on each of these and ensure they are tight. Upper and lover control arms. Panhard bar. Front and rear sway bar links. and bushings. Look at your steering rack, make sure its not loose. Shock Mounts.

I would have sworn my front right LCA Bushingswere bad and shifting, so did my mechanic. Same side, front bolt on rear lower control arm backed off and was popping side to side under acceleration and deceleration.

I've also had some luck jacking the truck up and using a rubber mallet to locate vibration and loose parts.

I wouldn't bother with the "Struts" until it was time to do the whole suspension. Worn out shocks will bounce but i don't believe they POP. Someone correct me if Im wrong.

 

[duke808]

the shop called, he said the U-joints are shot, said the struts need to be replaced, rear shocks are shot. The truck is extremely bouncy so I guess time to do the suspension. $1290 for all that, but it is 16 years old so oh well haha.

He said he's putting in KYB (??) parts.

 

[Supermoney]

You can buy and install Bilstein 5100s all around and for less...I'd consider getting a better quote. That seems high.

 

[duke808]

You can buy and install Bilstein 5100s all around and for less...I'd consider getting a better quote. That seems high.

He said whoever had the car before ripped out the struts and put in an "all in one" set up or something, and normally the front struts would be $400 or so, but to piece it all back together and rebuild it'll be more since has to order more parts, driving it to be $750 for the struts. said an all in one system is 500 or so, but won't last as long.

 

[Unner]

Do the work yourself if you can. I spent less on coilovers for the front and long travel rear suspension. These trucks are easy to work on.

 

[mtbtim]

Like [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION] recommended, do the work yourself if it's not too late. You could pull the driveshaft and take it to a shop to replace the u-joints and balance it. I've never attempted to replace a u-joint so I couldn't comment how hard they are to replace yourself.

Here's a video on replacing suspension components for our rigs. It's not too hard and you can rent needed tools at an auto parts store.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HJx6HH2yno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[duke808]

Unfortunately I just don't have the time. I've done brakes and oil changes on my BMW I had, but beyond that I have no tools and I'm usually pretty busy on weekends now. Life after college sucks! Ha!

Excited to get it back. the damn thing was so floaty. was out near the salton sea last weekend and I nearly lost control going 70 on the freeway when the freeway got bumpy. you could hear the tires hitting the wheel wells I had to slam the brakes. :fear:

 

[e-caban]

Upper ball joints is my guess. Had a similar issue when I had stock uca's and sway bars disconnected. Total Chaos uniball is what I went with.

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[duke808]

Upper ball joints is my guess. Had a similar issue when I had stock uca's and sway bars disconnected. Total Chaos uniball is what I went with.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Hi all (again!)

Got the car back, popping noise is still there. she rides much much better now with new struts & suspension. like a different car.

anyways, need to figure out this popping noise! still think upper ball joints? anything else I can tell the shop to check? he spent a while looking underneath (twice now) and said everything looks fine? thanks!

 

[frodiesel]

Worn steering rack guide bushing

 

[duke808]

In case anybody else ever experiences this popping noise....

Finally solved! They replaced the whole lower control arm and there is no popping noise. Not the bushing, but the entire lower control arm. Woohoo!