Popping Noise

Tiny
JTAYLOR0509
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
I just had my brakes and rotors replaced on front and back and had four new tires put on. As we were driving down the road we heard a loud pop on the left side and the car shook. We figured the passing car had blown a tire and it hit our car. A week later it happened again. Now I know it's my car cause it was the exact same noise and shake of the car. What could it be?
Friday, July 31st, 2015 AT 4:40 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Check drive shafts and wheel bearings, make sure all front end components are ok, I would contact the work shop that did the work and get them to re check everything that they did just to be safe.
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
TC38632
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I took my truck off road yesterday. While I was out in the middle of the field I thought I might need 4X4 so I engaged it without any trouble but when I needed to make a few sharp turns the front end would make a loud popping sound and the front end felt like it was binding. When we got back on pavment and I turned off the 4X4 the truck acted fine again.

Are my U-joints going out on my front drive shafts? That's my guess but I've never owned a 4X4 before. Is this an expensive fix? If I were to attempt to fix it myself would I need any special tools?

Thanks,
Terry
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello TC38632

To answer to your questions, can you take your explorer to an empty parking place, do not engage 4x4, turn the steering to the right full stop(untill steering stop turning) and drive in cercle: notice if any noise.
Do the same, but now to the left, drive in full circle with steering to the stop, notice if any noise.
Drive straight and brake suddently, notice if any noise.

Next, drive at higher speed, (do not get ticket) notice if any noise.
Do not engage 4x4, drive back to the pavement, raugh road. Notice any any noise.
Try to pull a load, or climb a hill, notice if noise.
Get back with what you find, because can be tricky to diagnose.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TC38632
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for taking the time here. I did what you said this afternoon and the only time I can get the popping sound is when the 4X4 is engaged.

I tried it in 4X2 with the wheels fully turned and several other ways and the truck simply will not pop until you turn the 4X4 switch on.

Now here is something new, after I tried 4X2 and when I engaged 4X4 and turned the wheels all the way to the right. Not only does it pop but it also feels like it's climbing a hill before it happens. It feel like the right side of the car raises slightly and then I get the popping sound.

Terry
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
It is time to raise the vehicle and look for the following likely problems:
Defective or misaligned U-joint

there are 2 u joints spider that need to be check(#9 and #7) for loseness or binding


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/46384_0900c152801def49_2.jpg



Explorer models use a locking mechanism mounted in the differential. This system is called a vacuum disconnect axle lock. there may be a problem inside the differential.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/46384_0900c152801def83_2.jpg



check those out and repport what you find.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OFFIONG
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,112 MILES
Please what should be responsible for this, each time I what to start my car i'll hear a pop sound like gun before the vehicle will start, pls what should I check.
Offiong edet
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check ignition coil wires and spark plugs for cracked or leaking.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OFFIONG
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thanks sir, i'll check the plugs and the coil tomorrow
thks sir
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONY IACOBELLI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,500 MILES
Why
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
Make sure the caliper is tight, pads are properly installed, and also, check the ball joints and tracking bar bushings.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATSUPDOCKERY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
My explorer starts pops snaps, and makes a hard effort to pull itself when going up a normal hill. What could this be?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Pops? Snaps? Are we talking suspension noises or engine? I fit is low on power could be a few things. Last tuned up? Is the check engine light on? If so have it scanned and get back with the exact codes. Coul dbe a plugged fuel filter, low fuel pressure/volume, partially plugged cat converter
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATSUPDOCKERY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not the engine, its suspension noises, the check engine light is not on
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
So it pops and makes noise when you are accelerating? Have you checked the u-joints? Rear spring eye bushings? Is the noise coming from the front or rear?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WHATSUPDOCKERY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Noise coming from front end. The popping only happens when going up a hill and it also struggles at the same time, like it dont want to go up the hill at all, when you let off the gas the noise stops put still wont hardly get up hill its fine once up the hill.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1993 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
I just recently pulled a boat way over the tow capacity and now the car makes a poping noise averytime I start to move. The noise will stop when the rpm's go high or low, but driving normal it pops and its getting really annoying. Any help would be much appreciated.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Does it kind of sound like a card in the spokes of a bicycle? Check the motor mounts to see if the fan is hitting the shroud. Have the things I mentioned previously checke dfo rthe low power problem, they may or may not be related
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
Can you tell aprox where the noise is coming from?
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It sounds like its under my feet when I give it gas
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It sounds like its under my feet when I give it gas[/quote:e74d7d828f] sounds like someone is hitting it with a hammer if that helps at all
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)

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