I put all new front end parts in my car and after driving it about 150 miles I started to hear a loud popping noise under the car. It sounded like a hammer hitting a solid piece of metal. I thought it might by the spring hitting inside the control arm. I put it on a hoist and moved the suspension up and down and found out the noise was coming from the lower ball joint inside. I added more grease and now it has quit. What would make it pop in there? Is the car safe to drive? Could it be a defective ball joint? Thank for any input.
Yes, the joint may have been dry but I doubt you missed it. I would put the car on the ground, jack it up so the tires are about 6" off the ground and then put a pry bar under the tire. Lift straight up and see if you can duplicate the noise. If not, monitor it closely. I had one do that in my 84 Chevy 2wd truck, finally broke the shaft...was a defective ball joint.
George it was on a drive on hoist and I made the noise pulling up and down on the front bumper. Had another guy move it and you could feel it in the lower control arm. Greased it and it went away but I think I can hear it a little just not as loud.
If it is a PST or Kanter ball joint, then I would not be surprised. I had 2 ball joints fail like that from PST. All of their parts are made in Bangladesh or some other low cost region. I would ditch that joint ASAP. If it breaks while you are driving, bad things can happen.....ask me how I know.....:Brow:
I just bought MOOG and they are made in USA. Rock Auto has AC Delco as well. Not sure where they are made now. The MOOGS look pretyy rugged.
imho moog makes the best steering suspension components they take the factory ones and upgrade where needed to accomadate common problems
Ditto on replacing the ball joint, but if the taper in the knuckle is not perfect, you will get the same issue. If anyone has ever had a ball joint stud break, it is because the taper/hole in the knuckle is worn/elongated. The taper is a critical surface, as is the taper on the ball joint stud. It's purpose is to "marry" the stud to the knuckle. Any deviation of either surface is critical to ball joint failure/ stud breakage.
I thought of that because I do have aftermarket disc brake spindles and heard there was a problem but after adding alot of grease to the ball joint the noise went away and I dont feel it in the lower a arm like before. I bought ball joints from a distributor in Mpls that is a wholesale company. I dont like the thought of having to take apart a newly painted front end.ou: But you gotta do what you gotta do. Thanks
Taking it apart and having a good ball joint beats having one break and end up plowing 20 feet into the woods and causing a few thousand in damage.....ask me how I know......Thank GOD all the trees I hit were saplings.....ou:
