Poping noise in front end.

[Edhaynes]

Hello, I have a 2004 V6 Vue front wheel drive. When you apply the brakes there is a loud popping noise from the drivers side front wheel. You can feel the jolt inside the car. When parked you can roll the front tire by hand and make the pop both forward and rearward. It has new brakes and rotor. New front and rear lower control arm bushings. The wheel bearing seems to have no play and makes no roaring noise while moving. The ball joints appear to have no play. I am thinking it could be the tire end of the CV axle but not sure. Does anyone have a guess at what it might be? Thank you.

[ScotSHO]

Hmm, this is a tough one. I assume you have the front end jacked up when you are rotating forwards & backwards? Or are you pushing the car on the ground?

Bad CV joints typically only start popping when you apply engine force while turning. Straight line you typically don't hear a popping, and if you do hear it in a straight line, it will quickly tear itself up and you'll be stranded.

It sounds like you've had a bunch of front end suspension/brake work done recently. I suspect a loose bolt will be the culprit. Or maybe loose brake components? For instance, if the caliper bolts are loose maybe the brake assembly would pop as you change direction. Or if the brake pads are installed incorrectly (missing spring shims), the pad itself could move around and cause the noise.

I have also seen loose lug nuts make noises, but I think you've eliminated that with the bearing check.

Maybe you have the dreaded rusty subframe or subframe mounting point problem?

Regardless, I would try not to drive it much until you can eliminate any loose bolt/structural issues.

[Cavell]

look at the struts. maybe the top mounts. i think my noise could be due to that. as the struts are newish but i do not know about the mounts. cant go by appearance.

[Edhaynes]

The popping noise while parked is with the tires straight rocked fore and aft. With the wheels turned L or R it does not make the noise. While driving is when the brake is applied. I have been all over the brakes/bolts and can find no play there. The lug nuts are tight. The poping noise was before replacement of the control arm bushings and new ones did not fix the issue. I checked the strut attachment bolts and all are tight. I thank you for the imput. I am stumped for now.

[focusofheart]

Originally Posted by Edhaynes

Hello, I have a 2004 V6 Vue front wheel drive. When you apply the brakes there is a loud popping noise from the drivers side front wheel. You can feel the jolt inside the car. When parked you can roll the front tire by hand and make the pop both forward and rearward. It has new brakes and rotor. New front and rear lower control arm bushings. The wheel bearing seems to have no play and makes no roaring noise while moving. The ball joints appear to have no play. I am thinking it could be the tire end of the CV axle but not sure. Does anyone have a guess at what it might be? Thank you.

In a past lifetime, I had a 1985 Subaru Brat (4 wheel drive) that would make a similar noise when the CV joints needed to be replaced.

[ScotSHO]

Originally Posted by Cavell

look at the struts. maybe the top mounts. i think my noise could be due to that. as the struts are newish but i do not know about the mounts. cant go by appearance.

I like that idea. What do the strut bearings consist of on this car, plastic on plastic? Very possible that is worn out.

[Cavell]

Top mount is steel plate. With a rubber molded inner donut and a steel core. It’s bonded steel/rubber. And has a sandwiched bearing Assy. I have a pair on my shelf. I assumed they were identical to my equinox but are slightly different. You can get cheap ones for $30 and all the way up to $75. Depending on the seller.