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Any advice as what could cause a front end (left side?) popping noise?

So i have a 1999 front wheel drive maxima that consistently makes a single popping or clunking sound when accelerating from a dead stop at 0mph. It doesnt happen when accelerating from low speeds and there is no clicking when i drive while turning the wheel sharply.

Just a single pop almost every time i first get moving...

I am suspecting a CV axle even though i have already replaced it about a year ago. Other stuff ive done in the past 30k miles

-replace struts

-rebuilt brake calipters, new rotors

-new ball joints

-control arm bushings

-sway bar bushings, end links, & end link bushings.

-new power steering rack & bushings

-new tie rods

Ive inspected the front end & all the motor mounts and cant seem to recreate the problem with the car on jack stands. Is there any possibility is could just be the CV inner or outer joint went bad since i replaced it with a remanufactured part from autozone? The boots that cover it are still intact.

5 Answers

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  • paul h
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Could be a worn or loose sub frame bushing which may clunk when first put under load or torque from the engine. Try idling the engine at a stop in drive gear and hold the brakes hard...then press the gas pedal slightly to torque the engine and see if the noise occurs. Have a helper try to pinpoint the area of the noise when doing this...try in reverse as well... and look for any signs of movement or clunking in the front subframe, engine /trans mounts, suspension, etc... Not likely a bad CV joint as you would hear the noise under decel or other situations if it were bad or loose.My first thought was a loose sway bar but you seem to have done that...check it anyway.

  • 5 years ago

    Wow, total new front end, nice.

    That does not sound like the CV joint is bad. Did you do all this work yourself? If not then go back to the shop that did and have them look at it.

    If it was the motor mounts they would clunk when you get off the gas, especially if you are say pulling away from a stop, then have to get back on the brakes.

    You might try taking it to a shop that knows suspensions. Is everything torqued to spec, and was everything that needed to be torqued at curb level was that done.

    Are the CV bolts still all tight.

    Are the sway bar bushings binding, sometimes they need grease or if are off by 1/2, they bind up on sway bar when tightened, not sure the exact set up on that car.

    A shop can put it on a lift take the wheel off, put suspension at close to curb level, putting pressure on the wheel hub or the rotor, then use a long rod and put pressure in different directions to try to recreate the sound.

    I first guess would be it is suspension related, the strut cap or lower strut connection is loose.

  • 5 years ago

    Check the motor and transmission mounts

    Source(s): Mitsubishi Master Tech
  • Ron
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    I'd think motor mount,.

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  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    ....

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