Popping Noise when turning CV axle?

I suspect you also removed the 2 bolts where the strut attaches to the knuckle. This will throw your camber way off which will, in turn make major changes to the toe also. That's where your pulling is coming from.

Not an easy task
Removal
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor, and remove harness from clips. Remove stabilizer shaft link. Insert drift into caliper and rotor (to prevent it from turning), and remove axle shaft nut and washer.
Disconnect outer tie rod from steering knuckle by removing nut, loosening jam (adjuster) nut, and pulling tie rod with Universal Steering Linkage Puller (J-24319-B). Remove cotter pin from lower control arm-to-knuckle ball stud nut. Loosen nut. Install Ball Joint/Stud Separator (J-41820), separate ball stud from knuckle, and remove ball stud nut.
Separate axle shaft from axle shaft bearing using Hub Spindle Remover (J-42129). Nut can be partially reinstalled to protect threads.
For right-side of Intrigue, top and front transaxle brace bolts must be removed for tool access. Remove axle shaft from transaxle using Axle Shaft Remover (J-33008-A), Axle Shaft Remover Extension (J-29794) and Slide Hammer (J-2619-01).

You'll need a socket large enough to remove the axle nut, and a tool to break the ball joint free. Then just pull the strut rotor and all outward until the cv-joint clears the knuckle, I would change the whole shaft, Reanufactured axles are pretty cheap, and it's quicker and easier than messing with seperating the old joint! Use a bucket under the inner joint to catch any tranny fluid that might leak out! If you have trouble with the inboard joint, use to large flat blade screwdrivers, or prybars and pop it out of the differential...Be careful not to damage the ABS sensor! Torque the axle nut to the proper value, or the hub bearing will be damaged!
Value= 159 Ftlbs!

It may have stayed in transmission you will have to check to see if it did. If none in there then put axle in you should hear it lock in place. Also, check around area see if it fell off.

You have to disconnect the strut, then you can remove the ball joints, and using a puller pull the hub and bearing off of the cv axle, then pry off the cv axle.

Could be a cv joint, but I also suspect a bad hub/bearings.

You must be careful. And this needs to be taken care of asap. No leisure riding, to work and back. It will usually cost about 150.00 for a hub. About 250 for axle/cv joint