Popping sound when turning wheel

[Coley]

Ok..When I make a turn, right or left, I can hear and feel a popping sound coming from the front end. Like something's under strain, and just gives a little. I've got stock springs, "soft ride package", and she's sagging noticeably.
On the black, rubber "bug catcher" or "air dam" under the bumper, you can see where the leaf spring shackles have rubbed up against it.

Ya think AAL's would solve this?



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Daddy's Ice Cream Truck (3 yr old daugter named it)
360 727 NP229
Totally stock
"You're obsessed with that thing!"

[Howiej]

The others on the forum can tell you more , but the last time i had a "popping sound" when i turned the wheel it turned out to be the a ball joint.There is a way to tell but my mind has gone blank at the time.

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79 Cherokee Chief
"Blue Mule"
Amc 360

[DerJeep]

I get the same thing, but only on rainy days. I figure whatever it is only occurs when it gets wet. Never really bothered me, since conditions are usually dry when I drive it (Don't particularly like to hunt in the rain).

[Rompn]

My 79' Cherokee just started doing that same thing the other day. I checked the ball joints by having someone in the car turn the wheel while I was under there looking at them and sure enough,they look bad. You can tell because when the wheel is turned all the way to one side,you can visually see the ball joint slide and buckle a little. Not a good thing. I saw that JC Whitney sells upper and lower ball joints for around $15 a piece.

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79' Cherokee Chief W/T
360/TH400
Jacob's Pro Street Ign.
31x10.50x15 Fun N'Mud's

[ajbjeep]

I have this same noise.I have not fixed it yet.My spring bushings at the shackles shift back and fourth.

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1989 GW[ 100K.]
CARTER AFB 625 C.F.M.+EDL.INTAKE
MOPAR DIST.+TFI
DYNOMAX MUFFLER+CUSTOM TAIL PIPE
AD A LEAF LIFT[2"]
31/10.5/15 BRIDGESTONES
3.54 REARS/REAR TRAC.LOCK
FOUR CORE RAD./ELECTRIC PUSHER FAN
FACTORY BRUSHGUARD
SILVER E ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS[THREE WAY]

[jeepnut7]

check the frame especially around the steering box for cracks

[nograin]

A generic ball joint check is to jack up the sprung control arm so the wheel is off the ground. Then see how much vertical play there is in the joint using a pry bar under the wheel. A dial indicator helps, but a steel rule works. Most lower jionts allow some play when the wheel is unloaded, like 1/32".

I ususally like to wiggle the wheel while its up like that and watch the tie rod ends, idler arm and steering geer for slop; Then go to the other side and do the same when tracking that sort of problem. Does that help?

My 2 cents is not to use Whitney for the Ball joints unless you know it is a TRW, Moog, NOS or equivalent. Years ago they used to carry good name brand stuff, but nowadays I'ld be pretty carefull and ask.

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360 auto select
body by beer (PO)
carries wood inside
no "wood" outside