Popping when turning left and right

[wreedps]

Hello,

My 2005 tahoe 2wd is making popping noises when you turn pretty full left or right.

What are the most common parts in the front end that make popping noises when turning. Happens when driving and sitting still.

Truck has 140k.

 

[clandr1]

Could be tie rods or pitman/idler arm, could be your intermediate steering shaft, could be your upper or lower control arm bushings.

Jack up the front of the truck and try to push/pull the bottom of the tire away from/toward you. If it has any movement, your ball joints or control arm bushings might be bad.

Also, while the front end is off the ground, try doing the same as above, but shake the tire side to side (as the tires would move if you turned the wheel). Pay special attention to the tie rod ends. It is possible they are worn and need replacing.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

I have this issue on my new to me 2006 2WD. I describe it as light clunking noise and feel in the steering wheel. There are a number of threads out there on this general issue (clunking in the steering). One root cause mentioned is play in the secondary steering shaft. Of course the usual sort of parts could be the culprit e.g. rod ends/etc.

 

[mattt]

My 04 was popping when I'd turn full left or right, do a U turn, etc.....it ended up being loose upper control arm bolts after having an alignment done. I've never seen another vehicle do this, but it seems unlikely that the tech left the upper control arm bolts loose, but who knows.

One way to check....have someone in the drivers seat turning the wheel back and forth, and you are outside checking all possible parts in the suspension, check upper and lower arm bushings, tie rods, pitman/idler. Just get your eyes on all possible front suspension and steering parts.

 

[wreedps]

Yeah I have to check it, pop is deff not in my steering.

 

[2006Tahoe2WD]

My 04 was popping when I'd turn full left or right, do a U turn, etc.....it ended up being loose upper control arm bolts after having an alignment done. I've never seen another vehicle do this, but it seems unlikely that the tech left the upper control arm bolts loose, but who knows.

One way to check....have someone in the drivers seat turning the wheel back and forth, and you are outside checking all possible parts in the suspension, check upper and lower arm bushings, tie rods, pitman/idler. Just get your eyes on all possible front suspension and steering parts.

Good tip, I'm going to try it.

 

[SteveMadden]

I had a similar issue, and a nut on the control arm was backed out. After tightening it the problem returned. My alignment was out and when getting an alignment done it was noticed that the dowels that the eccentric cam rides along were missing. So we set the alignment correctly and tack welded the eccentric into place, then tightened the nut back and it has yet to cause a problem since.

 

[wreedps]

I lubed everything and it went away for 2 days and now its back