My 97 Expo makes a single pop sound???

[carmelo22]

Taking off from the stop light today. A big metal pop sound came from, i think the front end. It does it in the mornings and evening when I first take off. I can not make it pop by steering or giving the Expo gas after driving it or it makes the single pop sound. When it pops it is kinda scary i can feel it pop in my feet. The steering feels ok?? I had all the tie rods replace about a year ago. thanks

 

[Lightnig]

Haven't run into that one before. Hopefully someone's got the answer for you

 

[hammerg26]

I have the same issue... hopefully someone will help us both out... maybe a hub???

 

[jbanks]

Ball joint?

Jack up the front end. Grab the tire and try to move it around forcefully.

 

[BlRob]

Upper ball joints. have the same problem...

 

[FordandPolaris]

I would also be thinking ball joints. Personally I would think lowers since those tend to wear faster than the uppers, but honestly both should be replaced anyways. Be careful jacking the truck up, if the ball joint comes out of the cup, you pretty much are replacing it right then and there. As it sits, the weight of the truck is at least holding it in, though I would not drive it like that long.

 

[carmelo22]

I did jack the Expo up and pull side to side, up and down. There was nothing that i could see that was "odd". No play in the ball ends. It does it also under heavy gas after a stop at a light just once I cannot make it do it again.

 

[carmelo22]

The upper ball ends are the only thing on the front end that have not been replace. All the tie rods and lower ends are new.

 

[toms89]

It may be possible the brakes (calipers) are seizing and it breaks loose upon initial movement. But I would say only if it does it upon initial movement of vehicle.

 

[jbanks]

Speaking of brake calipers. Check for loose or missing caliper bolts? I had both caliper bolts missing from the left rear. When I noticed mine were missing. I saw lots of messages about F-150's losing front caliper bolts.