Pop noise after front end work.

M

mpfi3100

Registered
I replaced both upper and lower control arms, Sway bar end links, Rear strut rod bushing on my 1998 Mark VIII base and now have a noise that is bothering me.

Sometimes, when turning the steering wheel from hard Right all the way to the left, I will hear a pop noise from the drivers side. The best way I can describe the noise is almost like the ball joint is popping out of the member, and then dropping back into place.

I have checked everything and it all looks good. I think I am just overlooking something simple.

I would like to add that this is the SECOND time I did the work on the drivers side. About 2 months after doing it all the first time, the lower ball joint sheared off, and I had to replace the upper and lower control arms again, as well as the drivers airbag (Thanks Mad1stGen).

I want to rule out future issues and hoping someone can offer some advice. I did a search, and the things I found, nothing seems to help.

The noise is random, but so far it has only happened when turning from full right back to the full left. Never from left to right. And seems to be coming from drivers side.

I am hoping I just over looked something small when I installed all of this. Don't want to go through the broken ball joint thing all over again. :frown:
 
What did you use for the strut rod bushings ? OEM or aftermarket ?

Retorque the lower control arm to k-member bolt. I've heard that popping noise from there before.
 
Hmmmm, I bought them from Autozone. Duralast Strut rod bushings, part number is FA7193

I had a hell of a time getting the old one off on the drivers side. The passenger side was fairly easy, but the drivers was a REAL pain.
 
If it's not any of the above, I had a new control arm do that once, the balljoint was binding, then it would "pop" back. It happened for me, when I backed up and turned the steering wheel.

I replaced the control arm and it was ok then.
 
Are you missing the little rubber bump stop that goes on the end of the strut rod where it goes through the lower control arm? If this is missing, the spindle will hit metal on metal when you turn the wheel full lock to the left (drivers side).

See here....the rubber thing goes onto the long stud in the bottom right.
FrontControlArms007.jpg
 
billcu said:
If it's not any of the above, I had a new control arm do that once, the balljoint was binding, then it would "pop" back. It happened for me, when I backed up and turned the steering wheel.

I replaced the control arm and it was ok then.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what mine is doing.
 
calisonic said:
That's exactly what mine is doing.
Click to expand...

Try having someone look at the wheel when you back up and get it to happen.

I've had a loose lower control arm bolt before too.
When that moved, the alignment went way off. That never happend with the binding ball joint.

When I took it back and told them the problem with it, they exchanged it.
 
I've got the Moog ones in there which someone on here said were to small in diameter to hold and apparently, they are. I just ordered the factory ones from a dealership in Memphis, $90 for bolts and accompanying cams and washer, yay!

Surprisingly the tire shop says the tread wear is fine.
 
calisonic said:
I've got the Moog ones in there which someone on here said were to small in diameter to hold and apparently, they are. I just ordered the factory ones from a dealership in Memphis, $90 for bolts and accompanying cams and washer, yay!

Surprisingly the tire shop says the tread wear is fine.
Click to expand...



I'm a bit confused here. You had what, Moog lower control arm bolts and cams?

So your problem was just loose lower control arm bolts?
 
I didn't know Moog made replacement bolts.

The first time I replaced the bolts, I bought dealer parts, they were expensive. The originals were so corroded they wouldn't torque properly.

The last one I replaced was so bad, it sheared the cam washer off when I removed it.:D

Winter cars.:)
 
Well, the dealer lied, the could only get the bolts with the one cam welded to it, i still need a cam for the other side and a nut. The parts guy did find me a larger, circular washer that i can machine down to match the washer that is welded on the bolt, but the hole for it to attach to the bolt is a little big so it will sit on there loose. Hope it still fits snug enough to not slide around.
 
Mad1stGen said:
What did you use for the strut rod bushings ? OEM or aftermarket ?

Retorque the lower control arm to k-member bolt. I've heard that popping noise from there before.
Click to expand...

Which do you prefer?

Had a problem with moog.
I just purchased two Stabilizer Bar Link's and one was assembled backwards.
The long stud was on the Stabilizer side and the short stud was on top.

:mad:

I would buy OEM strut rod bushings.
 
There are two Lincolns at the local pick and pull, want me to pull you the nuts and cams? :)
 
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