Front end popping noise.

poobearalder

Over the past couple of months I have noticed a popping noise in the front end of my 1999 GMC Sonoma 4WD. I will try and explain where the noise is coming from and when I have heard it. I initially started hearing this noise when I would back out of my driveway each morning. It would make a popping noise within just a few feet of reversing. I could drive the 5 miles to work and reverse into my parking spot and never hear the noise after the initial few feet of reversing. It does not make a noise when going forward. I tried backing into the garage one night and the next morning when I went to work, there was no noise moving forward. A couple of weeks ago I tried another test. I started my truck and before I even put it in gear, I turned the wheel to the right and then to the left. I tried this test several times as the first time it made a popping noise when I got the wheel turned all the way to the right. The next morning I turned it to the left first and it made a popping noise almost immediately. I have performed the circular driving test for CV joints and there is no noise. I have replaced the sway bar bushings and end links and have torqued the end links to 14 ft-lbs. I have had the ball joints, both upper and lower, changed in the last 6 months as well as both wheel bearings changed in the past 18 months (the most recent was 4 months ago). I just had a pre trip safety inspection at Les Schwabb and they said brakes and struts look good. Sorry this was so long, but I'm at a loss for what the cause might be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mr_Shiftright

Strut mounts might be a possibility. There's no way to just peek at them and say much about their condition. Upper control arm bushing is another thing to check carefully.

poobearalder

Thanks. I've had suspicion that it could be a strut mount. Unfortunately when you take it to Les Schwabb for a "FREE" inspection, you get what you pay for. I'll also check out the Upper Control arm soon.