[gbarrier]

I have a popping noise coming from my right front. As I begin to stop it pops. First thought it might something to do with the caliper but then as I start off sometimes it pops again when the brakes are not being depressed or released. It's getting pretty regular. Is this a control arm bushing issue?

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[flash]

could be the sway bar bushing

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[94SilverCab]

Either Caster Block or Sway bar bushing. Passenger side is usually caused by drippping power steering fluid.



Regards,



Jay

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[gbarrier]

Have just (finally) resolved a PS fluid drip issue and the bushing is a little puffy so perhaps that is it. But then it has been for a while and the popping has slowly gotten worse.

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[gbarrier]

OK, still fighting this battle. Replaced front brake pads installed by previous owner to fix a little squeak and occasional shutter. When I put it back on the ground all was well for about a day and pop and crack was back. Replaced rear mounting bushing for lower control arm and again all was well for about a day or two. Guess I could hang it up on the lift at night and get one days worth of driving at a time but not exactly what I want. Tie rod end and ball joint look OK but guess I should look a little closer. How about the front bushing in the control arm. Does that come out and can that be a problem?

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[JWahlsten]

Did you replace the sway bar bushings? Most likely the sway-bar bushings like Flash said.

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[gbarrier]

I have not because all the sway bar stuff looks so good. There was a little swelling of the right bushing due to some ps fluid but was minor and it still looks tight. Perhaps when I get a chance I should drop the swaybar and drive it for a couple of days just to see if the noise goes away.

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[JWahlsten]

The only other popping and cracking noise I've had on the front other than the bars was a failing ball joint. It's a possibility, but usually its the caster blocks or the sway-bar bushings.



I will add the popping from the ball joints was on a lowered tracked 951.

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[gbarrier]

Thanks. Never got around to pulling the sway bar so I just ordered a full set of bushings for it which should be here when I get back into town next week. Guess it was time anyway.

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[gbarrier]

Installed all new bushings on the swaybar. Still pops. Guess when I get back in town I'll drop out the control arm at the ball joint and see if I can find any looseness. Feels good but gotta go somewhere.

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[banditsc]

Have your castor blocks been changed yet? They wear out, especially with age and power steering fluid.

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[gbarrier]

Yep, first thing I changed. You are right though about rubber not liking P/S fluid. Resealed the pump several months ago and and looking at changing the rack if the seal sofener doesn't work in the next month. Thought I should give it a sporting chance.

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[flash]

i think i'd take a look at wheel bearings, upper strut bearing and upper strut mount

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[JWahlsten]

You already checked the ball joints, yes?

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[nissanite]

Do you have the Design 1 lower brace. I love the part but is does have a pop frequently. It is amazing how mch flex is in the stock chassis at that point.

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[flash]

the brace should never pop - there is nothing there to do that

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[Cloud9...68]

"Guess when I get back in town I'll drop out the control arm at the ball joint"





gbarrier,





I just posted a thread about this - I'm trying to separate my ball joints as well, but I can't seem to find a pickle fork the right size. Please let me know if you have one that fits (the opening needs to be about 3/4", and all I can find are 21/32" and 15/16"), and if so, where did you find it? Maybe I could get the larger one to work, but I was running out of room with it, so it definitely isn't ideal, at best. Thanks.

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[gbarrier]

OK, I've changed the rear caster blocks but how about the front bushings on the control arm. What are they like and are they changeable? I don't see them listed on PET. Could this be my problem?

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[flash]

unless things have changed, the front bushings are not sold separately in OEM form - you can get them from at least elephant, and i think probably racer's edge too



they are a royal pain to change, and there is recent discussion about them

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[gbarrier]

Thanks Flash. Just found and ordered up a set from Vertex. They should be waiting for me when I get home Sunday. With three days before going back out of town for the weekend and owing at least one of those to the wife I should have just enough time to change the suspect side. Of course, if the SC kit was waiting for me then the bushings would have to wait.

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