Pesky Pop

[JCollin]

Howdy,
I've had a pesky pop in the front end for a while now and can't seem to track it down. I have eliminated ALOT of possibilities but can't find the culprit. The scenario for it happening is this: When turning left, typically from a stop either at a light or stop sign, as soon as the top weight of the vehicle starts to "roll" and the front drivers side suspension starts to unload, there's a single distinct pop. Sometimes (but not always) there's a faint 2nd pop after the suspension goes back to normal ride height.
Things done so far:
- complete front sway bar bushing kit
-new front sway bar links (to body)
-new front sway bar drop brackets
-new Ironman adjustable drag link
-new Dobinson adjustable panhard rod
-completely rebuilt front axle/hub
-front diff fluid changed

It does have aftermarket springs and shocks but I'm not sure of the age. I do know that if i hit a sizable dip at speed (like some intersections or railroad tracks) the front shocks make a nasty noise when compressed suddenly. My next move is probably to replace the springs/shocks (at least in the front), but want to make sue that there's nothing I'm missing. I'm hoping that this is just coil spring pop in the spring buckets. Any advise would be fantastic!

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Check the bushing at the top of the front shock to make sure its seated in it hole. Grab it and shake it like it owes you money.

 

[zapatius]

My pop was from bad TREs

 

[JCollin]

Check the bushing at the top of the front shock to make sure its seated in it hole. Grab it and shake it like it owes you money.

Do this as it sits, or on a lift?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Front control arm bushings. Sometimes these can be bad and it's easy to see with the control arms installed. Other times you can't tell until you get the arms removed and really look close.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I found mine with the load on the suspension, there isn't much force in a shock, 40-50 pounds maybe. If the bushing is whipped, you'll move the shock.

 

[JCollin]

Front control arm bushings. Sometimes these can be bad and it's easy to see with the control arms installed. Other times you can't tell until you get the arms removed and really look close.

I've got brand new Ironman upper and lower control arms on the rear. I didn't think the front had control arms?? Are we talking radius arms?

 

[rhc404]

Would be easier to diagnose with a sound recording if you can get one.

I had a popping noise from the front that turned out to be the torque on one of the radius arm bolts. It looked fine at a glance but once I put a wrench on it and some muscle it was clear that it was not fully torqued.

 

[JCollin]

Would be easier to diagnose with a sound recording if you can get one.

I had a popping noise from the front that turned out to be the torque on one of the radius arm bolts. It looked fine at a glance but once I put a wrench on it and some muscle it was clear that it was not fully torqued.

I'll see if I can get something

 

[leonard_nemoy]

I've got brand new Ironman upper and lower control arms on the rear. I didn't think the front had control arms?? Are we talking radius arms?

Yes, front control arms, radius arms, same thing.

 

[BILT4ME]

Howdy,
I've had a pesky pop in the front end for a while now and can't seem to track it down. I have eliminated ALOT of possibilities but can't find the culprit. The scenario for it happening is this: When turning left, typically from a stop either at a light or stop sign, as soon as the top weight of the vehicle starts to "roll" and the front drivers side suspension starts to unload, there's a single distinct pop. Sometimes (but not always) there's a faint 2nd pop after the suspension goes back to normal ride height.
Things done so far:
- complete front sway bar bushing kit
-new front sway bar links (to body)
-new front sway bar drop brackets
-new Ironman adjustable drag link
-new Dobinson adjustable panhard rod
-completely rebuilt front axle/hub
-front diff fluid changed

It does have aftermarket springs and shocks but I'm not sure of the age. I do know that if i hit a sizable dip at speed (like some intersections or railroad tracks) the front shocks make a nasty noise when compressed suddenly. My next move is probably to replace the springs/shocks (at least in the front), but want to make sue that there's nothing I'm missing. I'm hoping that this is just coil spring pop in the spring buckets. Any advise would be fantastic!

There are a few things to check:
1) Tighten all radius arm bushings.
2) Tighten all swing arm bushings.
Yes, they all have specific torque specs.
3) Tighten all control rod bushings.
4) Inspect frame around steering gear for cracks.
5) Check frame around control arm bracket welded to frame for cracks.
6) Check wheel bearings for proper torque (35 lb-ft)

I'm betting on cracks around the steering gear.

 

[mudgudgeon]

It could also be elongated holes in the radius arm brackets in the front axle housing.

My first 80 had this problem.
It would make a loud pop / clunk when i rolled on and off the throttle hard enough to torque the axle tube in its mounts.
It also made the same noise turning into my driveway which was an off camber entry from a steeply sloped street. This also torqued the front axle housing enough to rotate it in the elongated bolt holes.

I definitely agree with @BILT4ME in regards to checking for cracks in the frame around the steering box

 

[LandCruiser105]

Howdy,
I've had a pesky pop in the front end for a while now and can't seem to track it down. I have eliminated ALOT of possibilities but can't find the culprit. The scenario for it happening is this: When turning left, typically from a stop either at a light or stop sign, as soon as the top weight of the vehicle starts to "roll" and the front drivers side suspension starts to unload, there's a single distinct pop. Sometimes (but not always) there's a faint 2nd pop after the suspension goes back to normal ride height.
Things done so far:
- complete front sway bar bushing kit
-new front sway bar links (to body)
-new front sway bar drop brackets
-new Ironman adjustable drag link
-new Dobinson adjustable panhard rod
-completely rebuilt front axle/hub
-front diff fluid changed

It does have aftermarket springs and shocks but I'm not sure of the age. I do know that if i hit a sizable dip at speed (like some intersections or railroad tracks) the front shocks make a nasty noise when compressed suddenly. My next move is probably to replace the springs/shocks (at least in the front), but want to make sue that there's nothing I'm missing. I'm hoping that this is just coil spring pop in the spring buckets. Any advise would be fantastic!

@JCollin did you ever get to the bottom of this? I have exactly the same issue currently being discussed in a different thread and am struggling to track it down.