Popping noise when I turn... any ideas?

Jesterz06 · 08-05-2008

For the past 4 or 5 months my Mustang makes a bad popping noise when i make turns. We replaced a strut that was bent and replaced 2 of the bushing and yet the noise is still there. I can sit in my car and barely move my steering wheel back and forth and it will make that noise, so it doesn't take much. Yet if we spray a lubricate on the bushings then there wont be any noises for about a day or so? Any suggestions as to what this might be?

**tripleblack** · 08-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesterz06

For the past 4 or 5 months my Mustang makes a bad popping noise when i make turns. We replaced a strut that was bent and replaced 2 of the bushing and yet the noise is still there. I can sit in my car and barely move my steering wheel back and forth and it will make that noise, so it doesn't take much. Yet if we spray a lubricate on the bushings then there wont be any noises for about a day or so? Any suggestions as to what this might be?

"Bent" strut? Was the car in a wreck? Were any other components replaced?

If the spray lube stops the noise, and you're just applying it to the bushings, then there's your problem.

If you can isolate it to WHICH bushings (presumably the steering rack, but there are quite a few other bushings you might be talking about), the idea would be to check those bushings out and replace them if necessary, lubing them properly when you do...

However, if the problem is with your steering rack itself, just swapping the bushings won't be a long term solution.

If you need to figure out WHICH components are noisey, apply the lube next time in sequence - carefully isolate each bushing or part and put some lube JUST on that part. Eventually you will be able to figure out precisely which parts are squeaky.

NOTE: "Popping" is often NOT bushing related, but caused by dry tie rod ends. These CAN be lubed by prying the rubber cover loose and using a small nipple and a grease gun.

bradandbrooks · 08-08-2008

I had this same problem on my 1991 5.0. Turns out it was one of the two bushings that bolt the P/S unit to the frame. Check those and I'll bet you $100 one is cracked and when pressure is applied to it, it "pops" and then returns to normal, for another pop. Let me know, I'm sure that's it.