so...if/when I accelerate from a stop I hear this one loud pop after the front suspension settles. it only does this if I accelerate moderately to hard. I believe its coming from the pass side. I will occasionally give a subtle pop sometimes when I am turning right coming out of my driveway (accelerating). I don't think it was doing this prior to me installing new struts and lowering springs with new supporting components.
so...what part of the strut assy would bind and reset? it's as if the spring is popping out and back into place...but if this is so....how?

thanks

 

Check your passenger side engine mount. It's a common problem on our cars, and its rattling is often mistaken for a suspension noise. Took me six months and bunch of needles $$$ to figure this out on my car .... .

 

see...that's the thing...I just replaced it and still have the problem.

 

also I can feel it in the floorboard when it pops. it more pronounced on the pass side floorboard tho.

 

OK. That sounds like your LCA (Lower Control Arm).

 

yeah...that's what I thought too. I looked at them closely and they look good. I do have 2 new ones just sitting in the garage....guess I'll install them and see if it's the problem.
I think I read somewhere on here about the strut being mounted incorrectly causing some binding. I think it was in that l o n g suspension thread.

 

Worn balljoint could give a single pop noise like that. At this point if the lower control arms are original replace both including new ball joints

 

Pop the hood and apply pressure up front by the top of the rad support push down on it several times like you bouncing it, have a buddy check the top mount center bolt, is probably loose

 

which top mount are you referring to?


thanks

 

Oops ,

Strut mount

 

Read carefully and note that he said "top mount center bolt" - there is only one such bolt for each strut ......

 

gotcha...will do...thanks

 

Are you SURE your upper spring perch is aligned properly?

 

thanks for the reply...I think I reinstalled it the same way it came off. however, there is a possibility that I did not. how do I verify this cause I really think this issue is spring related. can/will this cause the issue i'm experiencing?

 

Step #10, and there's a picture on the right.

http://www.shiftice.com/strut_install.html

Yes, if this is not aligned properly, your spring will definitely bind and pop when turning.

 

great...i'll verify the orientation.
thanks