Ahhh, that popping sound when you turn the wheels all the way

[Machete]

Every once on a while, not always, turning the wheel all the way to park or back out of a parking space I hear and I think feel that pop sound. Wonder what that could be??

Also, I check my oil level and color constantly. This week from Tuesday till today I’ve driven over 600 miles all highway.

I use non ethanol exclusively and I have about 3000 miles on this oil (sino). I notice I turns from that light honey color to a darker color but never black pretty quickly like already.

Could this be because I run non ethanol gas? Ethanol being a good cleaning agent. Am I carboning up my oil sooner? Hmmm.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Every once on a while, not always, turning the wheel all the way to park or back out of a parking space I hear and I think feel that pop sound. Wonder what that could be??

Also, I check my oil level and color constantly. This week from Tuesday till today I’ve driven over 600 miles all highway.

I use non ethanol exclusively and I have about 3000 miles on this oil (sino). I notice I turns from that light honey color to a darker color but never black pretty quickly like already.

Could this be because I run non ethanol gas? Ethanol being a good cleaning agent. Am I carboning up my oil sooner? Hmmm.

Ball joint and/or tie rod end.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Or CV if 4wd.

Starting to nickel and dime you.....

 

[Machete]

Yeah. Nickel here dime there. Soon time to find another runner for the highways.

But then again ties and/or ball joints aren’t expensive and I know if I spend $20k on something used I’ll run it into the ground even faster.

This truck just runs hard for me. This week from Tuesday to Thursday I did almost 600 miles driving up and back the west coast Florida in 90 degree heat at 80 mph and no oil consumption.

 

[Machete]

What about my ethanol theory?

 

[mnachreiner86]

What about my ethanol theory?

How’s your PCV?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scott Carden]

I use e-85 almost exclusively and my engine is clean and no emissions issues. I also use ford synthetic blend oil and filter and I think that’s important

 

[Casey Carver]

Doesn’t sound fuel related. Mine does the same thing and I’m due for upper and lower ball joints.

 

[coupe11]

When I had a bad (worn pretty bad) upper ball joint on an S10 Blazer it would pop at low speed when turning the steering wheel - and I could feel it in the streering wheel.

When I had bad u-joints in the front of the 1990 F150 4WD I could hear it when backing up/moving forward at low speed and turning the steering wheel - like back up between some trees in the woods to set up a camp. It only did that with the hubs locked in and in 4WD. Loud popping noise I could hear with the windows open.

The one time I had a bad constant velocity joint is was more of a clicking (or very subdued popping??) noise at low speed when turning to the left (right side).

 

[laiod]

I'm not an expert but I'm fairly certain it has nothing to do with the fuel. Like other posters have said, probably something in your steering assembly is making that popping noise. Shouldn't be too hard to peek at the boots of the ball joints on it without taking the wheel off and make sure everything is in order

 

[Machete]

The popping sound only happens sometimes. I’m sure it’s announcing early warning of worn ball joint.
My fuel comment was unrelated side note.

I only use non ethanol gas. I did learn ethanol fuel does burn cleaner meaning less exhaust but not that I care. My truck loves the added pop of non ethanol.

 

[VoxVeritatis]

If you're 1st gen, you probably know that AWD 'bucking' sensation you get from making particularly sharp low-speed turns when accelerating on slick pavement, loose leaves, etc. I'm assuming it's not that.

 

[Machete]

Nah. It’s a bushing somewhere but everything is tight so I’ll leave well enough alone. Now it doesn’t do it every time.

 

[Expd830]

I don’t think it’s fair related I also think it’s steering related have you checked your gearbox to make sure that it is not going out because popping noise is a symptom of a replacement

 

[Machete]

I don’t think it’s fair related I also think it’s steering related have you checked your gearbox to make sure that it is not going out because popping noise is a symptom of a replacement

The pop is coming from front driver side wheel area. I’ll have to look into that but I’m done pumping money. I just put all 4 new cats w pipes and all fluids flushed.

She drives as she is till 300k then I’ll either retire her to just a tow rig or sell it on eBay.

She runs great though at 236,***.

 

[Expd830]

It’s either that or CV joint. But either way both parts are cheap to replace. I replace both of those on mine and I’m running around 300,000 on my motor. I wouldn’t trade my 1st gen for nothing.

 

[Yupster Dog]

The pop is coming from front driver side wheel area

Might take a look at the swaybar end links. Sometimes when they break off they end up in the weirdest places.