Guys, I need some input here. I have been troubled for a long time now with this annoying popping that comes from the front of the car when I brake. Only in a forward movement though. If I am in reverse it will not do this. I am wondering what is causing this. Anyone experienced a similar prob? I am going to be changing the pads this week and I wanna know if there are some signs I should look for. A front end rebuild is in order anyway this coming summer, but what do you think is causing this? Thanks guys

Will

 

I could swear someone asked this exact same question some time last year, was it you? If you have already tried multiple solutions to the problem, please list everything you have tried, it is a lot easier to suggest something when we know what you have already done. My guess would be a loose strut nut. Pop off the black cap, and verify that the nut is tight.

 

Ya I asked this question to no avail. I have not done anything really to diagnose it, other than check all the joints and what not to make sure nothing was lose. I didnt try the strut and I will look at that tomorrow. It feels though like something in suspension catching at the last minute, almost as if the breaks are struggling to lock. 3rd gen brakes suck anyway, and I wish I had more money to put a better system there. I had thought it was loose caliper bolts, but those checked out. This sound happens of course when I apply the brakes, and it seems as if the nose of the car sinking when the brakes are applied is causing this.

Thanks guys

WILL

 

You say that it pops when you apply the brakes while driving forward, if you are driving forward and "pulse" the breaks repeatedly, does it pop every time the car goes down after returning to the top of the stroke. Also, does the same thing happen with the wheel turned from lock to lock while hitting the brakes.

 

Yes, it pops repeatedly, i can gently tap the breaks and it will not do it. But if I do it with any force at all, it will. Coming to a stop it may do it several times. If I have sufficient distance to ease the car down slowly, i can avoid this. But I dont think it should do it regardless.
Also please describe "lock to lock" I dont follow. thanks man

Will

 

I am quite confident that if the cars front suspension makes the noise consistenly as it goes up and down, than you probably have a loose strut nut. The reason why it would not make the noise when the brakes are progressively applied is that the excess slack in the strut is slowly being taken up, and not just slammed. A possible reason that would lead to a nut backing off could be that the strut bearing has piled up, and the increased friction between the bearing and the nut has over time caused the loosening.

Lock to lock, is a term used to describe when you wheel is turn as far as it can in one direction, all the way as far as it can in the other direction.

 

have you checked the strut bearings

 

I will take a look at the strut bearings tomorrow. Thanks guys, any other ideas? I checked the bolt on top of the strut, on both sides, tight as can be. So its not that......

Will

 

Check your balljoints also.. If it was a strut you would hear that pop when you go over bumps/dips in the road..

 

Ya, I was leaning toward ball joints myself. Struts are all looking good. Just wanted to get some input. What kinda price am I lookin at to replace these ball joints?

Will

 

my car does the same thing the black plastic on the indside of the wheel well is bubbled out on the bottoma nd when i hit the brakes it rubs the tire and pops when the wheel returns back the normal position i dunno if that is your problem though

 

No cant say that I have experienced that. Im sure it is suspension related...... Thanks guys

Will