Popping noise when turning wheel at low speeds

[sweatybandit]

'85 1st Gen, 2.5" OME lift, high steer conversion, 33" tires, RCV front axle

When driving at low speeds, less than ~10mph, when the wheel is pointed straight and then turn I slightly such as if I'm in traffic, there's a loud pop. Steering feels tight and accurate but the noise is disconcerting.

The pop noise happens regardless if I turn left or right. My sense is that it occurs at high speeds too, just that I can't hear it due to road and wind noise.

Any ideas on what this could be? Thanks in advance!

 

[OzSurf]

I would start by checking all the ball joints followed by inspecting all steering related parts including steering shaft & box.

 

[Dropzone]

i know you mentioned RCV axles but it almost sounds like a broken Birf.
You don't have you hubs locked by mistake?

have you put the front end up on jackstands and wiggled both sides?
could be wheel bearings, etc

 

[sweatybandit]

Thanks guys, great places for me to start.

I was thinking it could be a CV joint but haven't had the truck up in the air. Posted this as soon as the noise started to get some ideas.

I'll start here and see what I'm able to find out. Thanks!!!

 

[JAXJeremy]

to clarify does the noise only happen when you're turning, or does it do it when you're driving straight down the road? If it's only when turning another area I'd look at in addition to the above suggestions would be your body mounts. I had a popping noise in my offroad rig that only happened when I turned after coming to a complete stop, founds out after a lot of troubleshooting that the body mounts were toast..if you have one, try mounting a go-pro under rig see if you can isolate where the sound is coming from. good luck.

 

[Madrid1214]

I had the same problem. Had some popping when turning. It sounded really bad. Found out it was the steering stops. It’s a little bolt that stops the wheels from oversteering. Originally I guess it had a little rubber piece that prevents the loud popping. But I read you can apply some heavy duty grease for the meantime. Not a permanent solution but will work for a month or two.


This place sells them on the web. Pretty cheap.

TOYOTA 4Runner/Pickup 4X4 OEM steering stop cap 45619-36010

If I’m mistaken, please someone correct me. Thanks.

 

[swerks]

Leaf springs shifting

 

[aubuchond]

I always have a popping noise only when backing up and turning right. You think it could be the cv joints?

 

[Hyde802]

Can you unlock/lock the hubs and drive? Noise still there? That should help figure out if its the RCV or not.

probably not turn stops on a solid axle, as they move with the axle.

Probably not a ball joint on a solid axle, as they use trunion bearings (which could be worth looking in to)

Mentioned the high steer, is it hitting on something as the arm swings?