Clunking over bumps and pops when I turn wheel slow

LOPEZ41463

MEMBER
2015 KIA OPTIMA
2.4L
4 CYL
124,000 MILES

It now makes a popping noise when turning the wheel slow. It's not loud yet, you actually have to listen to it sometimes. Had the control arms and ball joints replaced, as well as the complete assembly of both front struts and strut mounts. I was told nothing is wrong with my sway bar links or bushings. My car also tends to swerve on the highway and will jerk to the side right before it begins to swerve. Does anyone know what this could possibly be?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This is most likely something to do with the strut mount, but it may not be the part itself. More than likely something is loose but that may be due to the structure it is mounted to on the body is cracked and allowing it to flex and move.

The popping you are hearing is the mount moving when it should not.

We should also check your tires for wear. Here is a guide that will help and a chart below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

The tires are not causing the issue but if one is wearing different than the other then that is the side the issue is on.

Lastly, we need to check the mounts for the steering gear (rack and pinion) because if this is loose then that will cause the issues.

Darting and jerking on the highway are normally always caused by a loose component but the popping points to suspension. However, the fact that it does it in turns could also be steering so if the rack is moving at all when turning the wheel back and forth when sitting still then that is the issue. You should be able to turn the wheels while not moving and the rack should not move at all. Only the tie rods on the sides of the body of the rack.

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