Developed A New "popping" Noise

[amcdonal86]

Hi,

I seem to have developed a new popping noise in the suspenion/steering system. It occurs fairly intermittently, although at times, I can reproduce it by jabbing the brake pedal lightly, going over fast/uneven bumps (where a significant amount of weight is transferred to the front suspension), and or steering in a tight radius circle. There is no real correlation with speed.

I'm wondering if it is the sway bar end links going bad, because I am noticing that my steering wheel feels slightly loose (there is a clicking sound from the steering column if I go over some serious bumps, but I'm not sure if this is due to normal play in the tilt steering mechanism or not). However, the steering action itself still feels "tight", although tight is a relative term (the LS ain't exactly the definition of steering response...)

Does anyone have any idea whether these are normal symptoms of bad sway bar end links? The car drives great, but this little problem is driving me nuts! Thanks!

(By the way, recently replaced: upper strut mounts, strut rods, upper sway bar bushings, power steering fluid change)

[billydpowell]

Hi,

I seem to have developed a new popping noise in the suspenion/steering system. It occurs fairly intermittently, although at times, I can reproduce it by jabbing the brake pedal lightly, going over fast/uneven bumps (where a significant amount of weight is transferred to the front suspension), and or steering in a tight radius circle. There is no real correlation with speed.

I'm wondering if it is the sway bar end links going bad, because I am noticing that my steering wheel feels slightly loose (there is a clicking sound from the steering column if I go over some serious bumps, but I'm not sure if this is due to normal play in the tilt steering mechanism or not). However, the steering action itself still feels "tight", although tight is a relative term (the LS ain't exactly the definition of steering response...)

Does anyone have any idea whether these are normal symptoms of bad sway bar end links? The car drives great, but this little problem is driving me nuts! Thanks!

(By the way, recently replaced: upper strut mounts, strut rods, upper sway bar bushings, power steering fluid change)

One of my 97's had a bad pop when I got it, we replaced the strut rods and cured it, this was about a year ago. since that time on occasion I get a light pop like you described. In my mind I wondered about the sway bar, but forgot about the end links....

I have a certain "bump" I go over, where the left front wheel rises and falls sharply and it sounds off then. I will have to check that out .... let me know if you get to it first.

[amcdonal86]

It also seems to only happen if I am pushing the brake and/or haven't heard the pop since I last pushed the brake. Perhaps it is just the brake pads being kind of loose and not being seated properly. I will have to check it out.

It's very unusual because it happens the most when I am making tight parking maneuvers (lots of brake and turns).

[billydpowell]

It also seems to only happen if I am pushing the brake and/or haven't heard the pop since I last pushed the brake. Perhaps it is just the brake pads being kind of loose and not being seated properly. I will have to check it out.

It's very unusual because it happens the most when I am making tight parking maneuvers (lots of brake and turns).

I went ahead and ordered new sway bar link kits.

mine cant be the brakes, I just put new pads on the front at Christmas.

if it stops, I will post.

[amcdonal86]

Your popping sounds like it might be due to upper strut mounts being worn. Is it worse in the cold?

Actually, oddly enough, my popping sound seems to be worse when it's warm.

[billydpowell]

Your popping sounds like it might be due to upper strut mounts being worn. Is it worse in the cold?

Actually, oddly enough, my popping sound seems to be worse when it's warm.

no, mine had the struts and upper mounts replaced right before I got it, in fact the noise is why he sold it. then I replaced the bars and fixed it. now (a year later) i get the wheel rise/fall thump. if it isnt the links at least they are not costly and I can put them on. and I will check the bushings also. and heat or cold brings no change, just the action.

more later.. bp

[amcdonal86]

I wonder if there is a way you can check the end links without actually jacking the car up.

[billydpowell]

I wonder if there is a way you can check the end links without actually jacking the car up.

not to my knowledge, they are right behind the wheel, I could not budge them,

also my 76 year old body could not get the lower nut loose, will go to the shop tomorrow and let them give it a try.

[amcdonal86]

Hmmm.... you could not budge your end links, but I can move mine fairly easily (although it feels kind of "viscous-y" like a ball joint feels). I wonder if that means if the end links are bad.

[billydpowell]

Hmmm.... you could not budge your end links, but I can move mine fairly easily (although it feels kind of "viscous-y" like a ball joint feels). I wonder if that means if the end links are bad.

sorry, I meant I could not move the NUT(to get it loose), I didnt try moving the links, I'll try that tomorrow..

but I am going to replace them anyway, since I have two 97's I dont mind having spare parts.

[amcdonal86]

I'm just wondering what else could be causing my car to make those noises. I haven't been able to take a look at it for the last few days because of the weather. I also haven't driven it for a few days because hearing that sound makes me cringe!

[billydpowell]

I'm just wondering what else could be causing my car to make those noises. I haven't been able to take a look at it for the last few days because of the weather. I also haven't driven it for a few days because hearing that sound makes me cringe!

WELL, I dont know about yours, but my poping is gone, the links took care of it... silence is wonderful.

good luck on yours..

[RDM]

My '92 was creaking a bit a couple months ago, I replaced the lower ball joints, tie rods, tie rod ends, swaybar bushings, and endlinks.

I still have a pop, but not as bad, so I'm thinking either the front strut rod bushing is bad or the caliper is sticking, as it does it both braking and going over bumps, but only on the driver side.

In the rear I had a bad rattle too, turns out one of the rear endlinks was just loose. The socket has an allen head bolt, you can hold it with an allen wrench and tighten the nut with a box end wrench to secure it better, that may be your problem. You can remove the nut and check for play in the endlink, a lot of play or signs of grease leakage should send you buying new ones.

[amcdonal86]

This car is getting to be quite frustrating!

[amcdonal86]

Well, I spent about an hour lubing up the brakes on the side that seemed to be making the noise, and the noise seemed to stop for a while. However, after driving for an hour or so, the noise is back just as before. I did notice, though, that my pads are pretty worn (down to the little brake wear sensor), so I will probably go ahead and order Lexus brake pads. However, I am doubtful that this is the cause of the noise.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I should check? I have replaced all of the following recently:

--upper strut mounts

--front strut rods

--front sway bar bushings

Please help!

[amcdonal86]

I'm wondering if my tie-rods ends are bad.

I did this procedure shown in the video here:

The chalk lines do not stay together at all. What does this mean? Is this video accurate?