Thread: popping noises

hi guys, my cars been making this noise for the last 2 years , but it has gotten especially worse this summer. when im driving over a bump ill hear this noise that sounds like the battery bouncing up a few inches the dropping back down. (ive confirmed thats not the case) also sometimes when i go to make sharp turns, like in a parking lot, ill hear a popping noise. this noise is much worse and happens nearly every time i go in reverse while turning sharp, like when backing into a parking spot. and is even worse when i back into my parking spot in front of my apartment, which is at a downward angle (so im backing up and turning, up a hill) im guessing control arms but before i shell out $100 (they have gone down in price considerably at rockauto) i just wanted to get everyones opinions.

thanks in advance!

could be the strut mounts, pop the hood, start the car, stand by open door turn the wheel left and right, watch the area were the struts mount, the 3 bolts, if the center bolt is moving all over the place, they are shot.

CV Joints? Wheel bearings? Struts? Strut mounts? Springs?

Why would you let something like this go for TWO YEARS?

I believe it is the control arm bushings. same thing happened with my car. every time i turned and hit a bump it would "pop". but also check the other things the guys mentioned.

its a very easy job. front bushing has a bolt and rear bushing has one (rear really doesnt go bad).

if it is the bushings heres a little write up.

jack car up, place on stands (should be a given)
tire off
remove swaybar link
remove tierod end
remove ball joint
take front and rear bolts out of control arm. one at each bushing
should come out then

Notes: no special tools needed. ball joint and tierod come out if you use a hammar on the control arm (dont recommend it unless you know what your doing) or you could use a pickle fork. be sure to remove abs sensors.

The bushings have to be pushed in and out with an arbor press. got mine done for 15 and the mechanic dropped it off at my house.

hi guys. i took it to jensen tire last year and they couldnt find anything. they told me to wait til it gets worse and bring it back. this car has been nothing but a complete LEMON since i bought it in november of 08, so unfortunatly, every single thing already listed in this thread has been replaced. no sarcasm. i put new quick struts on it in the spring of 09, i have replaced the sway bar end links. ive replaced both cv shafts and both front bearings (not in regards to THIS problem). i have also replaced both front control arm bushings, and both ball joints. the only thing left is the rear bushing on the control arms, which, after buying those and paying a shop to press them in , it'd be cheaper just to get the dorman arms from rockauto.com