Suspension popping, what is it?

[243]

I can hear a popping sound from the front suspension (I think) that is most obvious when I'm backing out or pulling into a parking space or driveway. Normally at low speed and not at full lock.

I know it's real hard to diagnose suspension problems without seeing and hearing the vehicle but I can't locate the noise and hope you guy's will have some ideas.

I had a friend saw the steering wheel with the engine running while I looked at the suspension and can see no movement in the balljoints, tierods, draglink, pitman arm, steering box shaft or the steering box to frame mount.

Ideas?

[bignblue]

I'd climb down under there with a grease gun and go to town. Anywhere you see a zerk fitting, pump it full of grease until you hear a 'crack' from the old grease seal. Good luck--phantom noises are a real pain to track down and diagnose.

[243]

Did that too

[Dave]

Could be worn out leaf spring bushings, have a friend move the wheel back and forth and look for any play at the bushings.

[fulmetal]

I think Dave hit the nail on the head. Leaf spring bushings would be where I would start

[243]

You guy's may be correct, I looked at the spring eye bushings and they don't appear to be all there. But I can't see movement when the Jeep is sitting still. I'll get my buddy to look for movement when I pull into the driveway.

Thanks,

[Lindel]

Another thing to look for is loose u-bolts on the axles. They allow the axle to shift a couple of millimeters, and make a "popping" sound.

[tuckers89GW]

I know that loos axle bolts can scare the crapola out of you. I had loos ones, the P.O. added a lift and they came loose. the entire front end would shake enough that you could almost loose control when you hit a bump. :eek:
My guess is bad spring bushings.