Finally figured out front end "popping" noises

[Yo Hoot]

I was getting an occasional loud pop or snap like something was letting loose in the front end. Usually happened in a tight slow turn and hitting the brakes. Also hitting the brakes suddenly sometimes caused it, forward or reverse. That's what made me start thinking it was ready for a once over with the wrenches.



Seemed worse with the plow on.



Yesterday I took a hand full of wrenches and a 1/2" breaker bar and a 13/16" socket and went to town on the front end bolts.



The top bolts on the links were pretty easy to tighten. These are the factory torqued bolts that attach the control arm links to the axle.



I tighted the upper and lower bolts, at the axle and at the frame, both sides (8) total.



Also my plow brackets needed a good bit of tightening after a few snows.



I did get the popping before I installed the plow and at times when the plow wasn't on.



I'm plowing tonight... ... no popping at all.



Previously I tightened the track bar at both ends but that didn't fix it.



If I hear it again I'll report back.

 

[mberry]

Thanks Hoot. That's good to know.



On Edit: My dad's '84 Ford diesel 4x4 had a popping noise in the front end when it was new. Turned out to be a cracked upper shock mount on the passenger side. He welded the crack and the noise went away and never came back in over 120K miles.

 

[Scooby]

I get a loud popping/clunking noise when turning into a driveway (a steep curb). I was wondering if I was getting full shock extension and it was "bottoming out" - or the opposite of that really.



I think I've heard it coming from the front left and front right (depending on my approach side)



Is this what you are hearing?



I've also heard that the CAT is hitting the transmission crossmember... and it looks like mine might be doing that too!

 

[Yo Hoot]

Thanks Hoot. That's good to know.



On Edit: My dad's '84 Ford diesel 4x4 had a popping noise in the front end when it was new. Turned out to be a cracked upper shock mount on the passenger side. He welded the crack and the noise went away and never came back in over 120K miles.

Funny I had a 1980 F150... Kept making a nasty sound in the front end. Finally after a couple years the crack showed up.



scooby that sounds the same. I believe its the ends of the suspension parts shifting. When they're somewhat tight, they pop when they shift. You need to torque them so no movement occurs.



I suggest everyone retorque all the front end bolts. I was out for another 3 hours... problem is cured.

 

[Klassen]

ill have to try to tighten everything on my front end it has that poping sound to when i turn sharp driving slow.