93 Cavi front end Pop
walshje
10-13-2005, 08:26 PM
93 cavalier wagon, 98K miles, 4cyl AT. Just replaced front brakes, noticed a popping from the front end during my post-repair test drive.
1. I don't think the popping was ther before brake job (can't be sure)
2. Single pop SEEMS to be coming from right front corner (con't be sure)
3. Pop only happens when steering wheel returning to center after a right turn
4. Pop will not happen every right turn, but will happen more often if I was braking during the right turn.
5. Pop can be felt through floorboard when it happens
6. Jacked up fron end, can't feel any play in wheels when tires are manually moved side to side. No play when trying to pull bottom of tire in and out.
7. Tie rod ends and ball joints seem OK based on #6 above, but I'm no expert here.
8. Steering wheel can be turned lock to lock many times while car is not moving - no pop.
9. Popping will not happen after braking while going straight - only pops when steering wheel is returning to center after a right turn.
Any clues what this is? Ball joints or tie rod ends are the obvious choice, but all feel tight (no play at all) when examined.
1. I don't think the popping was ther before brake job (can't be sure)
2. Single pop SEEMS to be coming from right front corner (con't be sure)
3. Pop only happens when steering wheel returning to center after a right turn
4. Pop will not happen every right turn, but will happen more often if I was braking during the right turn.
5. Pop can be felt through floorboard when it happens
6. Jacked up fron end, can't feel any play in wheels when tires are manually moved side to side. No play when trying to pull bottom of tire in and out.
7. Tie rod ends and ball joints seem OK based on #6 above, but I'm no expert here.
8. Steering wheel can be turned lock to lock many times while car is not moving - no pop.
9. Popping will not happen after braking while going straight - only pops when steering wheel is returning to center after a right turn.
Any clues what this is? Ball joints or tie rod ends are the obvious choice, but all feel tight (no play at all) when examined.
lilrogue78
10-14-2005, 06:06 PM
sounds like a bad wheel bearing to me..just a thought
dizel326
10-15-2005, 12:42 PM
calipers could be sticking
praisethelowered
10-15-2005, 02:58 PM
Could be your cv-joints.
lilrogue78
10-15-2005, 07:06 PM
i have had a few different cars with bad cv joints and usually it clicks only while going around the corner
4dr92cavi4cyl
10-17-2005, 02:27 PM
It may just be the pads shifting slightly when releasing the brake. I think mine did that after I changed my front pads, but it went away less than a week later. Is it a loud pop and a hard bump when felt through the floorboard or is it barely noticeable?
walshje
10-17-2005, 06:14 PM
It may just be the pads shifting slightly when releasing the brake. I think mine did that after I changed my front pads, but it went away less than a week later. Is it a loud pop and a hard bump when felt through the floorboard or is it barely noticeable?
It is a loud pop and a hard bump felt through the floorboard.
I tore both sides down again last night and relubed caliper bolts - I am very confident it is not a stuck caliper. I did more drive testing, it will NOT pop unless I am returning the wheel to center after braking at least a little bit while entering a right turn. It will not pop every time when these circumstances occur, but braking is definately required to make it happen. I wouldn't worry about it, but I am trying to convince myself it's not a tie rod end or ball joint about to go (major safety issue).
It is a loud pop and a hard bump felt through the floorboard.
I tore both sides down again last night and relubed caliper bolts - I am very confident it is not a stuck caliper. I did more drive testing, it will NOT pop unless I am returning the wheel to center after braking at least a little bit while entering a right turn. It will not pop every time when these circumstances occur, but braking is definately required to make it happen. I wouldn't worry about it, but I am trying to convince myself it's not a tie rod end or ball joint about to go (major safety issue).
praisethelowered
10-17-2005, 08:33 PM
i have had a few different cars with bad cv joints and usually it clicks only while going around the corner
From the description in the 1st post, it is popping when going around a corner. Although they usually pop when the wheel is turned, not when it's returning to center.
From the description in the 1st post, it is popping when going around a corner. Although they usually pop when the wheel is turned, not when it's returning to center.
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