Pop............clunk........

[97f150]

The vehicle is the one I just bought. When turning left it sounds like something is binding....sort of a pop clunk noise. I will pop as many as 3 times and does it when turning the wheel back straight after the turn. The sound is coming from the drivers side, but does it every so often on the drivers side as well. I crawled under there and checked out the scenery and cant see anything that would be binding, the ball joints look to be original though. My bet is on the ball joints, based on this noise and inside tire wear. Any other ideas? The vehicle is the Dodge in my sig, 4X2. I noticed the tire wear and clunk when I test drove it and figured ball joints. I will park it and use wifes truck to finish out the work week and probably replace all ball joints and tie rod ends and have it aligned when I get off.

 

[sciphi]

CV joint. Never mind, it's RWD. Ball joints or tie rod ends (?).

Could be a binding bearing somewhere else close by also.

 

[robshelton]

Ball joints, idler arm, control arm bushings, etc. I have even seen a cracked frame cause the noise you describe. It was cracked around the steering mount and flexed when turning. Some 4x4's have this problem and there are some reinforcing plates made to strengthen the area.

 

[mechtech2]

Sway bar end links are my first thought.
Cheap and pretty easy to replace.
If they are troublesome to remove, just cut them.

 

[97f150]

I thought of that too, as it is making an identical noise my 97 F150 was making. The noise went away after changing the end links. I am thinking about bringing it to the alignment shop crying about the tire wear and let them tell me what needs fixing.

 

[mechtech2]

They may tell you a LOT!