I'm having the same popping noise from the front suspension. Just wondering if you had any luck in solving the issue. Did you replace the a arms or bushings?

 

I had the same problem. I fixed it by getting new control arms. Actually, I bought new upper control arms and found a set of low mileage lower control arms from a reputable member.

 

I never figured it out, but I determined its coming from the rear. It just transmits through the car in a way that makes it sound like the front. I think its diff related.

 

I'll bet it's your front strut mounts. Which is why you hear them under light braking in the forward and reverse motions.... when you apply the brake it peddle it clamps the the rotor and either makes the car dip forward or rearward (depending on the direction your traveling in) and puts a positive or negative load on the strut mounts.

Also I would say it could've been your caliper bolts were loose, but since you just did a brake job (I would hop you tightened them) and the noise is still present then probably not.

But either way I could be wrong They have some very good suggestions in here, so make sure to cover all your bases! Good luck mang!

-J

 

Then my first post has even more relevants for it's most commen in the rear. Also check your trailing arm bushings, as 80% of the FD poping noises come from those damn things. Check those and report back .

-J

 

My bushings are fine, I have replaced them recently. I am not too concerned any more as the pop hasnt changed since I started this thread a few years ago

 

My FD only has 29K miles, what gives with these bushings and control arms? Aren't they supposed to last at least 100K? When you replace the control arms do you use OEM or aftermasket? Same questions about the bushings.
Thanks to all for your feedback!

 

no. if you really want a car with fast bushing wear buy a bmw, even with the good updated ones, they are still bad every year or two...

 

i notice the fd "pops" from the rear, when the upper crontrol arm outer pillow ball bushing is bad, it allows the whole rear hub to rotate with the wheel.

prybar is your friend here

 

Hey Tom,

I thoroughly researched this popping and cracking sounds emanating from the front suspension.

Initially I replaced the upper control arm bushings and the popping sounds were still very acute. Upon inspection of the front and rear OEM upper strut mounts, they were badly deformed; rubber mounts were cracked and totally wasted.

I also replaced the front sway bar bushings, left and right ones, a ten dollar item worth doing.

I decided to go with coilovers that were similar to the OEM struts but have height adjustability as well as ride adjustability. I also made sure that the coilovers also had upper and lower rubber mounts to minimize road noise. As you know the pillow ball mounts transmit too much road noise and that was my selection logic based on extensive research.

Finally I replaced the OEM struts with the new ARK Racing coilovers which improved the handling, steering responsiveness and less road noise, however, the best part was that the popping and cracking sounds are now completely gone!!

Anyone that has this same problem please note that the OEM struts have components that wear with time and as a result the popping and cracking sounds appear from the front and rear suspension.

While you are replacing the struts with coilovers this is actually a good time to replace the upper control arm bushing only if they look worn, otherwise you'll be wasting your money.

If you choose not to replace the struts another option is to replace the upper and lower strut mounts and that should fix the problem, provided you do not have any other worn parts in your suspension.

My FD is now running like brand new car with no squeaks, no popping or cracking suspension parts.


Popping Sounds Mystery solved!!