Recently, the front (at least it sounds like it's from the front...) of my Mav has been making a popping (kind of like a backfire) sound from the front end when I either am stopping into a parking spot, after I shift into Reverse and am backing out of the spot, or sometimes after I back out and shift into drive and start to move. There is no rhyme or reason that I can see of when it does it. Sometimes it is when I am truning while doing the about things, and sometimes it is when the wheels are straight. I have no idea what the hell is going on. The only thing I can figure is that in these situations where it does it the weight on the suspension is being transferred and sometimes when the wheels are going in the opposite direction of how they were before they stopped (backing out after driving in). The popping varies in intensity from very loud, to quiet. The suspension is about a year old. I looked under it and everything appears to be in good shape. I guess I'll have my suspension/alignment guy look at it, but it is probably something simple (hopefully:confused: ) and if I can fix it, I would like to. I am not positive the suspension is the problem, but I can't think of anything else. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I'm pulling out my hair over this. Thank you very much. My car is a 302/C4. It only does it at low speeds (0-5mph) or right when it starts to move - nothing above 5. I "bounced" the car up and down it didn't do anything, but who knowns.... I originally thought that maybe a loose bolt would pull/move a little and bind. Then when I changed the direction, the bolt would move the original way and "pop" back into place?? It does it when it is hot or cold. ???????? Help. -Corbin Sorry for the long, convoluted explaination, but that is the best way I could explain the problem - it is very strange.
I have a 74 Comet 4dr 302 C-4. I had a problem with a popping sound about a month ago. It would do it going in reverse & going foward. I never paid it much mind until one day coming home from work I noticed it would do it when I let off the gas (pop) & got back on the gas (pop). I just happen to have my window down & had those cement dividers next to me. I got under the car & checked the dive shaft. Guess what? The rear u-joint had about a half inch of play (worn out). So, I replaced both u-joints. Now it is very quiet, no more popping sound. You might want to check that out.
Hey, thanks Coop. I just went and checked. Yep - there is some play. I'll replace them very soon and get back to you. I figured that it was simple, but the U-Joints slipped my mind - man, I am embarassed. -Corbin
Ball joints can also make a popping sound. Just one more thing in the never ending list of things to do.
Be sure to check the strut rod carefully and the mount. My 68 Cougar made some poping noises that were from a failed strut rod bushing.
The first thing I thought about was the tranny itself or the engine or tranny supports being bad. 'Hope it's just the U-joint. Keep us posted, pls.
Thanks guys - I am pretty sure it is the u joints. The strut rod bushings are fine, the tranny was rebuilt a year ago and works great, the engine runs nicely, and the mounts are good and a year old. I am keeping my fingers crossed that new u joints will solve the problem. I am pretty sure that it will because there is a fair amount of slop in them. I'll double check everything again, however. :thumbsup I'll let you know by the weekend. -Corbin
Hey Guys, I got some new u-joints today, and then double checked the things you guys mentioned. rcomet75 - you are right on. I must have missed the crappy bushing somehow. The passenger's side one is all broken up. I guess I'll have to get some new strut bushings. I'm dissapointed however, as the bushings are only about 1 year old and they already failed.. I don't see why when the old ones were 30 years old and were still decent... That pisses me off. Hey, does anyone know what to torque the strut nuts down to after I replace the bushings? Thanks. -Corbin
Tighten it till just before it breaks. Actually if your using a hard poly type bushing, you want to be extremely careful not to over thghten them. You can stretch them and then they will fail. Rubber is much more forgiving. I dont know what the specs are. I just do it by feel.
Cool, thanks. I am guessing that they were over tightened while being aligned and the bushing slowly broke away. They are a harder material than rubber. -Corbin
I was talking about the strut rods stretching. I read an article where a guy with an older Cougar had this happen. His strut rod broke in two right where the bushings met. They determined that poly bushings dont compress like rubber so the results was the rod stretched and eventually failed while he was driving the car.
Oh, ok. Thanks, Dennis. Yeah, I heard about the rods breaking sometimes also. The bushing material is harder then rubber, but softer and more forgiving than the poly ones. I can't remember the name right now. I guess I'll replace them with some rubber ones. -Corbin
Rubber and ploy have different torque specs. Torque on a bolt, stud or rod is actually just a matter of now much you stretch them. To much and it's like a rubber band getting smaller in the middle. And that is your breaking point.
Hmmm... Dennis-you have scared me with that story twice now. My stuff is polygraphite, installed but not completely tight. I was going to let the alignment man tighten mine. Is this going to be a big concern for me on these strut rods in the next few weeks? SURPRISE! Yes it will be going to the alignment shop in the next 4 weeks. Seth
