I have an 89 Iroc with L98. When I drive around or turn the wheel in a slow turn the front end pops. I first thought it was my idler arm and centerlink. I replaced those with Moog parts but the popping is still there. I checked the frame for crackes around the steering box but found none. I then found out that if I push up and down on the front fenders to make the car bounce I feel the popping in my hands. Also if I go over bumps it feels as if the wheels are loose or gonna fall off. AHHHH!! But I checked the lugs and the bearings and everything seems tight. I have comce to believe that the problem is that my front struts are worn or internally damaged that they are sticking and making the popping noise??? Any ideas???????

[This message has been edited by Like a ROC 89 (edited September 23, 2001).]

 

wheel bearings?

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89' Firebird Formula
Black/grey cloth
305 TPI/5 speed/3.45 rear
dual cats/PW,PL/T-tops
K&N, SLP TB booster,
SLP exhaust, Jet chip

 

No, wheel bearings are fine they are greased and preloaded correctly......

 

Balljoints

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-Jason M. 1991 Camaro Z28

 

Balljoints would make a popping noise when the car is pushed up and down?

 

Warn balljoints or warn steering knuckle (where the balljoint attaches) could cause the popping noise. Remember, these parts are under a lot of weight and spring pressure, which brings up another possibility... broken springs.

 

I vote for struts worn. I have actually seen the exact condition you are referring to and it was the strut being worn out and having excessive play inside them. After further research I found that a lot of suspension systems that use the modified Mcpherson strut setup where the strut itself is a stressed member of the suspension and not just a dampening componant have the same problem when the struts get a lot of miles on them.

hope that helps a bit.....

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club