Popping while turning

TIBBIE

MEMBER
OLDSMOBILE

96 olds ciera wagon, 116k V-6 engine.

When turning either Hard left or right there is a noticable "pop" that comes from the left front of the vehicle. I origionally thought it to be the left CV joint so I replaced it with a brand new CV halfshaft, and still the same thing. I have also recently replaced the front brake pads thinking that might be the culprit and still no luck. This is driving me nuts. I did notice that the boot covering the lower ball joint is not really in great shape and kinda "flat" with grease kinda coming out. What I don't know is wheather or not it is possible for that to cause the "popping". I hope you can help.
Thanks,
Jeremy

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Check the ball joint for any play yet?

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Saturday, September 8th, 2007 AT 7:00 AM

JASONRAY

MECHANIC
213 POSTS

If it's just one POP, chances are it's not a CV axle. You're possibly on the right track with the ball joint. That kind of POP is sometimes hard to duplicate on a lift. Think about it, the car weighs 3500lbs or more. You don't! Lower control arm bushings sound more likely to be the cause, though than the ball joint. If you can raise the vehicle up high enough to get all the weight off the front tires, use a pry bar to pry against the lower control arm bushings. If the bushings are bad, with the weight off the tires, they'll move. I've seen it happen a lot. While the tires are in the air, use that same pry bar, under the tire and pry UPWARDS on the tire. Watch the ball joint and see if there's any play there.