MY 5 LITER IS NOT FWD

[cmb91LX]

Here is my problem. I have a 91 LX and there is a popping noise coming from the front end. It feels and sounds exactly like a FWD car does when the CV joint is going bad, it pops when the steering wheel is being turned under slight acceleration. What the heck is this? It is seriously getting on my last nerve as I have checked all kinds of things on the front end.

 

[ECU5.0]

could be ball joints or tie rod ends....more than likely its the tie rod ends

 

[BlueDevil95]

check both the ball joints and rod ends. i actually tore a balljoint right out of the a-arm by letting them go too long after they started making noise. i figured i could get away for a little while. luckily i was only going 30mph when it happened.........

 

[90pony302]

most likely your inner tie rods and if ur gonna change them might as well change ur rack and pinion. It can sometimes be tied into many suspension problems becuz theyre not often looked at or changed.

 

[Michael Yount]

Check the rack...

 

[88stangmangt]

freind of mine snapped a tie rod on his focus that had been cracked from his brother for about a year funny thing is they took the car to the KEYS and back to va but the tie rod gave up in the parking lot at his school. can you imagine what would have happened if it would have let go on the highway???????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cmb91LX]

OK, I have gotten under the car and shook each of the end links and grabbed the tires and there is no play, which would be symtomatic of a ball joint right? I have grabbed and pullled on the end links and no play, no cracks in the bushings, etc. Is this something anyone has encountered before and it ended up being ball joints, end links etc? It feels just like a bad CV joint which leaves me puzzled

 

[92Frankenstein]

I got it all figured out

Check the blinker fluid.

 

[ritter racing]

maybe your spring isolators? mine has that problem in the front left and lets out a good pop under hard acceleration. just an idea....

 

[powertrax91]

OK, I have gotten under the car and shook each of the end links and grabbed the tires and there is no play, which would be symtomatic of a ball joint right? I have grabbed and pullled on the end links and no play, no cracks in the bushings, etc.

some times no matter how hard you grab, pull, or tug you're not going to be able to exert the type of force that is required to to get that part to make the noise your looking for.
your car is after all 13 yrs old, it may be time to start changing some of the parts listed in the other posts.

 

[ka0tyk]

mine had a popping sound and I had put a steeda bumpsteer kit on it... still there...

replaced balljoint and my balljoint was actually cracked... go figure. no more popping sound.

 

[SuperStang83]

I'd change ball joints and tie rods first!

Jakob

 

[QDRHRSE]

I think Mike got it right. Probably the rack. Have it checked out. You may not be able to detect it by looking under the car.

 

[QDRHRSE]

If you want to check ball joints all you need to do is:
1. Lift the car by the frame high enough for the wheel(s) to be off the ground.
2. Grab the wheel with your hands- one hand at 2:00 and the other at 7:00.
3. See if you can wiggle the wheel. If there is any play you probably have a bad ball joint. Sometimes you may feel bad wheel bearings too but you will know if its the ball joint. You can also change hand positions- there should be no play at all. If there is something is wrong.

 

[cmb91LX]

I have done something similar to check. I have left the car on the ground and grabbed the wheel and shook real hard and there is a little play/ knock when the real is rocked out to in. It felt as though the wheel itself was loose, and after tightening the wheel it still has a litlle play. I will try to jack it up and do what you guys have suggested.