I've had this for the past year, and because my back is feeling better I've slowly been able to do what needs to be done, but this is definetely annoying (And I'm sure unsafe).

This doesn't happen all the time, but frequently (More than a couple times a day). I'm coming to a stop (not braking hard, just normal) and all of the sudden I hear a loud pop (Only once) as I come to a stop.

What would cause this loud pop when braking?

 

im not exactley sure but it could be a hub bearing going.. anyone else think the same?

 

I would look towards the A-arm bushings (mainly one of the rear ones). Is it possible that they are original and maybe severely worn?- just a guess. What i'm thinking is when you apply the brakes, one of these rear bushings on one side or the other could have enough stress on it under braking to colapse upwardthrough a possible crack bushing. It would make a metal on metal "pop" if this were to happen. Once stopped, then driving again it would work its way right back into place because of the downward natural force of the springs onto the A-arms.

Whatever it is, like you ssaid, its not normal and I would suggest checking out the entirw frontend (subframe and all) for any cracks on them or bushings.

 

BAlljoints would be a good thing to check.

 

Where does the pop come from? Front/rear end? Driver/pass side? Do you feel it in the steering wheel?

Do you get a pop when turning hard at very slow speeds/stopped?

 

Comes from front.

Only comes on when braking (so the wheels should be straight).

Drivers side.

I _think_ I feel it in the steering wheel.

 

I know my parents GMC Jimmy had the same thing a couple years back... you'd put on the brakes and just before you'd come to a stop you'd hear (and sometimes feel) a pop ro snap... turned out one of the front shocks was bad... after the shocks were replaced, no more problems.

 

on a couple thirdgens ive known, somthing similar happened.. in both cases it was a balljoint.


since you need to pull the A arm off anyway to put it on a press, i suggest you put new bushings in when you do the balljoints. also, if you plan on putting lowering springs in, thats the time to do so....

 

Would it be easy to do using one of those tools you can borrow that it supposed to press it into place or will I need access to a press?

 

ive only helped do it once... and we took both a arms to a guy with a press and had him do it.

i dont have any experiance with the small rental removal tools... ball joints arnt one of thoes things ive had to do alot of..

 

I did ball joints on my 92. I used a pair of jack stands for the front then took everything loose and pulled out the lower control arm. After that I played with it unsuccessfully for a while and took it to a shop. The guy only charged me 25 bucks for both sides and it kept me from breaking anything on my own!