There is a light 'popping' sound when I turn the steering wheel like 30*

**absolutegtr** · 02-17-2008 06:42 PM

There is a light 'popping' sound when I turn the steering wheel like 30* in either direction. If I was to turn the wheel back and forth, back and forth those 30 degrees that when I hear the popping sound (like play exists)

My thought are it is the tie rod ends, since my power steering rack is leaking.

Any ideas?

**mattman** · 02-17-2008 09:26 PM

tie rod ends or possibly ball joint or just some worn out suspension bushings?

**absolutegtr** · 02-17-2008 09:28 PM

You see ball joint would make that sound if I was going over a bump of some sort...but it only happens when I move the steering wheel from side-to-side...

**mattman** · 02-17-2008 09:36 PM

alright...well i guess you can rule out balljoints.....
well if your power steering rack is leaking...maybe thats the only problem...

**doublezero30** · 02-17-2008 09:42 PM

do any suspension work recently? could be a binding spring. or the strut mount. to check the ball joints lift the front of the car up and grab the tire at 9oclock and 3 oclock then try to shake it in and out (without physically turning the wheel) looking for play. there should be little to no play in them.

**gmann** · 02-18-2008 12:11 PM

Ball joints OK.

Leaking rack wouldn't cause your tie rods to make noise. They make noise cuz they are worn out. This is most likely the problem.

It could be a coil spring twisting and then popping into a new position, but this usually happens when the car is in the air (jackstands or lift) It's not probable because that usually doesn't happen without a loud thunk when it's on the ground.

**doublezero30** · 02-18-2008 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by gmann

It could be a coil spring twisting and then popping into a new position, but this usually happens when the car is in the air (jackstands or lift) It's not probable because that usually doesn't happen without a loud thunk when it's on the ground.

not really...if you dont put suspension together correctly the springs will bind and pop when you turn the wheel...trust me, i know from experience. if its more of a knocking sound it could be the mounts that have worn out. but still, we dont know if hes even done suspension work recently...so this all could be out the window.

**absolutegtr** · 02-18-2008 12:23 PM

No suspension work has been done recently. It never made this sound (I THINK) when i bought the car....it just started to happen when the rack started to leak.