[Bymet]

Over the last few weeks I have noticed a popping sound coming from the front end. This occurs when I'm backing up & turning the wheels. It will pop once & that's it. When I straighten out the wheels it doesn't happen. Also it doesn't happen all the time. I don't know if it's a coincidence or not but it seem to start when we got this unusually cold weather here in SoCal. A little over a year ago I completely rebuild the front end. New UCAs, LCAs, tie rod ends, sway bar end links, sway bar bushings, strut rod bushings. The shocks are due for replacement but I can't imagine them making that kind of noise.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Distortion 5.0]

Read all these posts and cry? Thats what Im doing and it's not helping. Only reassurance I can offer is this; YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
If I fix mine this sunday, I will prepare a lengthy report on my findings.

 

[The Great Obucina]

i bet you bottom dollar its the upper arm bushings. Which are serivceable. TRW makes a replacement and they must be pressed out.

which strut rod bushings are you running? both on the arm and frame. Moog thermoplastic el crack-o-matics i have and hate. TRW - in a real TRW box are rubber and much better.

 

[Bymet]

i bet you bottom dollar its the upper arm bushings. Which are serivceable. TRW makes a replacement and they must be pressed out.

which strut rod bushings are you running? both on the arm and frame. Moog thermoplastic el crack-o-matics i have and hate. TRW - in a real TRW box are rubber and much better.

I replaced the complete UCAs little over a year ago & the boots are still intact. The strut rod bushings were from Ford. there are no Moog parts on the car

 

[The Great Obucina]

I replaced the complete UCAs little over a year ago & the boots are still intact. The strut rod bushings were from Ford. there are no Moog parts on the car

no, i mean the bushings on the arms.....where the arm bolts to the frame. jack up the car and disconnect the ball joint from the spindle and shake it. if you get a rattle, theres your sign. Mine went south after about a year.

 

[Bymet]

no, i mean the bushings on the arms.....where the arm bolts to the frame. jack up the car and disconnect the ball joint from the spindle and shake it. if you get a rattle, theres your sign. Mine went south after about a year.

The UCA bushings are fine. It only happens when I'm backing up & turning the wheel. The end links are the only part that moves with the spindle so I'm beginning th think the sway bar end links are the problem even though they are only a little over a year old.

 

[Hollywood Ed]

Steering rack and pinion.

 

[96bird]

Mine makes the same sound sometimes when I back up while turning the wheel. I will be anxious to see what you come up with.

Russ

 

[94ONAIR]

Jim I have the same problem. And I just did my UCA, Lower, and everything else about 6 months ago. I can't solve it.

 

[Bymet]

Steering rack and pinion.

It is less than 2 years old & doesn't leak. Also if it was the rack & pinion why would it make noise only when backing up?

 

[Bymet]

Jim I have the same problem. And I just did my UCA, Lower, and everything else about 6 months ago. I can't solve it.

Alex

Did you get your car back yet?

 

[Distortion 5.0]

check the sub frame bolts I did everything you did and tightening the one loose bolt was the fix.

 

[thewishkah]

My friend with a mustang 4.6 had this same issue from when he bought the car (2005) its a 2004 the person who had it before him hit one of those tire stops in a parking lot and well it hit more then the tires. He ended up having to replace the whole rack and bushings, just a thought since he had the same issue.

 

[Bymet]

My friend with a mustang 4.6 had this same issue from when he bought the car (2005) its a 2004 the person who had it before him hit one of those tire stops in a parking lot and well it hit more then the tires. He ended up having to replace the whole rack and bushings, just a thought since he had the same issue.

Thanks for the input. I haven't hit anything with it so I don't think it's the rack

 

[Bymet]

check the sub frame bolts I did everything you did and tightening the one loose bolt was the fix.

Well I replaced my struts & sway bar end links this weekend & it did not solve the problem. This may sound dumb but where exactly are the sub frame bolts located?

Thanks

Jim

 

[Bymet]

Well I replaced my struts & sway bar end links this weekend & it did not solve the problem. This may sound dumb but where exactly are the sub frame bolts located?

Thanks

Jim

Anyone have an answer for me on this?

Thanks

 

[Nick]

I had a similar issue when I installed 13" rotors and larger calipers on the front. It seem'd that the calipers were on the wrong sides L/R. Cleared up when I put them on the correct side. Seemed to happen when turned the wheel and backing up. I know you didn't mention a brake conversion, but thought I'd toss it out there just in case. Sounds like you went through a big chunk of the front suspension.

 

[Bymet]

I had a similar issue when I installed 13" rotors and larger calipers on the front. It seem'd that the calipers were on the wrong sides L/R. Cleared up when I put them on the correct side. Seemed to happen when turned the wheel and backing up. I know you didn't mention a brake conversion, but thought I'd toss it out there just in case. Sounds like you went through a big chunk of the front suspension.

Yes I did a 13" brake upgrade about 3 years ago. This noise started a few months ago. I'm thinking somethig is loose enough that it moves causing the popping noise when I'm turning while backing up. Sub frame bolts make sense to me. I just need to know where they are exactly

Thanks for the input

 

[Bymet]

check the sub frame bolts I did everything you did and tightening the one loose bolt was the fix.

Front sub frame bolts were the problem. They weren't loose but they were below the torque specs. Got an E18 torx socket & tightened them up to about 90 ft/lbs & the popping went away. Checked the rears as well & they were OK. As old as these cars are getting it's not a bad idea check these things every few years.
Thanks for the suggestion

Jim

 

[96gts4.6L]

Front sub frame bolts were the problem. They weren't loose but they were below the torque specs. Got an E18 torx socket & tightened them up to about 90 ft/lbs & the popping went away. Checked the rears as well & they were OK. As old as these cars are getting it's not a bad idea check these things every few years.
Thanks for the suggestion

Jim

That is an awesome find. I have some popping in my front end and that's something I'll check first. I like to keep it as simple as possible at first.....