RedCamaroRS

Recently I've noticed that when I go to stop my car I hear clunking type of noise up front right before I come to a complete stop. However this only happens when I'm coming to a stop on a downhill slope. If I'm stopping while going uphill it does not do this, so it seems to be related to my front end nosing down. What could this be? It feels like something is loose when I go over bumps too. And another thing, the other day while going through the drive-through at Hardees, I had to cut my wheels real tight to the left. When I did this I heard a nasty metal pop from up front. I replaced the idler arm this spring so it's probably not that. Could it be a tie-rod? Maybe even the transmission mount? Thanks for any help!

[This message has been edited by RedCamaroRS (edited November 30, 2000).]

Lostsol

Sounds much like a ball joint to me, but it could be a number of things. Inner and Outer tie rod ends seem to be neglected a lot, with most folks overlooking the inner ones when rebuilding the front end. Pay attention to what everyone on here says to look for so you can cover all the bases though.

Nightcruzer

Have you had your struts changed recently? I had a severe banging when I got my car back from the mechanic. He forgot to tighten the strut to the tower securely. That was 8 years ago and haven't been to a mechanic since.

Greg

I've been having the same problem exactly as you explain except it does it more turning fully going slow instead of braking. I replaced my worn out center link and the obvious broken stabilizer bar link but surprisingly that wasn't it! The only think I haven't replaced over the last two years is the strut mounts. I bet the bearing has some play in it.

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'89 Formula 383 TPI

chevyboy07 91

OHH man, your engine is going to FALL OUT!!!!!>>>>>no, actually, say goodbye to your front end. If you haven't already, rebuild the whole damn thing. Outer and Inner tie rod ends & sleeve. Ball joints, etc,etc

chevyboy07 91

actually, (and I know it's repetitive) it would be smart to check the struts first. It sounds weird to me, but is possible.

Troy 85Z

I have a very similar problem except it only does it when I turn the wheels while stopped. I replaced EVERYTHING, struts, ball joints, and every linkage. The thing still pops. It sounds to me like it's coming from the steering box. The welds still look fine and everything is tight, it just pops. I'll probably end up getting a new steering box and I'll let you know if that worked. It seems like a lot of people are having similar problems. Good luck

junkyarddog

its probably not your steering box,I just replaced my power steering and I still have the "popping" and "clicking" noises coming from somewhere in the front. lift your car up and tighten every chassis bolt in there,crossmember angle braces,the three 16mm bolts that hold the steering box on.it would be a good idea to get the torque specs. and tighten them down accordingly.

88IROCARMY

Check your idler arms. My had the grease fitting fall out and it was ruined. It would pop and make other weird noises. Also ensure that you keep it greased.

CamaroMike

EVERYTHING on my front end is new and it pops when stopped and turning. No clue what it is.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

91 Firebird 5.0L TBI

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

85berlinetta

Check the center link. I recently replaced mine. That, with a new ideler arm, shocks, & struts, all the front end clunking went away. All the parts were origional and with 78,000 miles there was some wear!

Jza

I can tell you exactly what it is. It's your brake pads sliding around in the caliper.

Take the wheel off and look at the pad. There's an ear that's folded over the top of the caliper. If there's more than a .050 gap there that's most likely your culprit. Just ease a screwdriver between the pad and the hub and use it to lever the pad upward against the caliper (you should see the ear raise). Then carefully hammer the ear down onto the caliper.
If you have a brake job coming up, be sure to add some disc brake quiet (the orange gooey stuff, not the red spray can stuff) and replace the bushings and o-rings.

CrazyRob75

I can tell you exactly what that popping noise is. It's your frame flexing (probably cracked) BEHIND your steering box. I had the same problem. I threw my car on a hoist at work, undid the 3 bolts and slide the gearbox
out of the way and went to work with the MIG welder. This worked for a while until I got sick of it and made a support bracket and slide that behind and welded that in (an alignment is a MUST after).
My understanding is that this is a common problem on third gen's and also S10/jimmy/Blazer's. The metal is fairly thin gauged and after time stress cracks form. To fix this PROPERLY you must clean the area of all rust/oil/crap and apply PROPER welds. Meaning, if you don't know how to MIG/TIG/arc weld properly, take it to a proffesional. Depending on the severity of the crack you may have to weld in an extra piece of metal for support. I know one company makes a bracket for the S10/Blazer (don't remember name) but I haven't seen any listed for the f-body. Might be one around but you'll obviously have to look. Hope this helps, I know how annoying that popping sound is when in a parking lot or any other area you have to make a tight, slow turn. GOOD LUCK!

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85 Berlinetta Iroc exterior Lg4 305 best e.t 14.4 street tires naturally aspirated....installing/ rebuilding 450-475 HP 454....YAHOOO!!!

CrazyRob75

...HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!! I didn't realize so many of you had the same problem! I guess the cracked frame behind the gearbox is more common than I thought!

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85 Berlinetta Iroc exterior Lg4 305 best e.t 14.4 street tires naturally aspirated....installing/ rebuilding 450-475 HP 454....YAHOOO!!!

David M

I've got the same problem too! I've replaced everything on my '84 Z28 and it still "pops". Possible cracked frame eh? Will have to look into this one.

Matt_Ky

Where exactly is the stress crack you guys are talking about? anybody have a pic? I have
a loud popping noise when making slow tight
right turns in parking lots, etc.
Thanks
BTW, my car is a 1991 RS w/ 36,xxx miles.

dnovotny

Well, I had a similar popping sound coming from the front while braking. After replacing my Hotchkis springs (total 1.75" drop), with Global West springs that brought my front end ride height back to stock, the popping is gone. Strange, but true.

Dave '91 T/A

CrazyRob75

I found out about this by having my hood open and having a buddy turn the steering wheel. I followed the popping sound and could actually see the gearbox moving (frame flexing). I put the car up on a hoist at work and took a look from underneath. You'll need a good light as most of the craps I've seen are between the gearbox and frame so you kinda have to stick your face in there to see it. If you do have this problem don't freak out like I did. It's actually a fairly easy repair provided you have access to a welder (or a buddy with one).
As I stated earlier, you basically have 2 options if the frame is cracked.If your a capable welder and the cracked isn't to severe, just clean the area and weld away. if it looks pretty nasty, you'll probably have to use a piece of scrap metal to use as a support bracket (front end alignment MANDITORY if you put an extra piece of metal in there). I had this problem with the car since I had bought it and I think I drove like this for about a year until the popping drove me nuts. My point is, the steering was stiffened up BIG TIME afterwards. I never realized how sloppy that flexing was making the frt. end. So I you repair this area, you may just fix 2 problems at the same time. Let know how it goes

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85 Berlinetta Iroc exterior Lg4 305 best e.t 14.4 street tires naturally aspirated....installing/ rebuilding 450-475 HP 454....YAHOOO!!!