Power Steering "Pop"

[GrandAmageGT]

OK I have a problem. OK my car is running but not moving....say at a traffic light or stop sign. Now my steering wheel is straight at 12 o'clock. Say I turn the wheel as far left as 10 o'clock, and then turn it right to 2 o'clock, and I do this back and forth. Now every time the steering wheel passes 12 o'clock I hear a "popping" noise from down in the engine compartment. What could be causing that to happen?

Thanks for the help.

Jason

[GrandAmageGT]

I tested it out at lunch, and the noise was very subtle.

[Dan-I-Am]

Hey Jason,

I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess it's your ball bearings in the wheel making that popping noise. I had a friend who's car was doing that, and it was a simple fix...the ball bearings were slipping, or not catching properly. Hope this helps.

Dan-I-Am

[GrandAmageGT]

Originally posted by Dan-I-Am
Hey Jason,

I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess it's your ball bearings in the wheel making that popping noise. I had a friend who's car was doing that, and it was a simple fix...the ball bearings were slipping, or not catching properly. Hope this helps.

Dan-I-Am


Thanks for the reply...do you remember what he did in the "simple fix"?

[gagt98driver]

Originally posted by Dan-I-Am
Hey Jason,

I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess it's your ball bearings in the wheel making that popping noise. I had a friend who's car was doing that, and it was a simple fix...the ball bearings were slipping, or not catching properly. Hope this helps.

Dan-I-Am

What ball bearings are you referring to? Wheel bearings are usually roller bearings.

As for the ball bearings "slipping" or "not catching properly" the whole point of bearings is to allow slippage. If a wheel bearing is catching then there's a problem and it needs to be replaced.

[buschbro1]

Another possibility is that it is the rubber bellows, (bumpy protector boot) on the steering rack is catching on something like a brake line or power steering line. happened to me on my pontiac 6000 afew years ago. to fix it bend the line out of the way. Did you by any chance hav any recent brake work, etc.?
Hope this helps

[GrandAmageGT]

Originally posted by buschbro1
Another possibility is that it is the rubber bellows, (bumpy protector boot) on the steering rack is catching on something like a brake line or power steering line. happened to me on my pontiac 6000 afew years ago. to fix it bend the line out of the way. Did you by any chance hav any recent brake work, etc.?
Hope this helps

No brake work done, but I will be investigating this further. Thanks for all of the replies.

[XtremeGrandAm]

The CV Joint is another thing that has been to cause noise on cars when its going out

[GrandAmageGT]

Is it possible for someone to check the CV joint without taking it to the mechanic?

[XtremeGrandAm]

Originally posted by GrandAMage GT
Is it possible for someone to check the CV joint without taking it to the mechanic?
No i dont believe so the way I understood it was that you have to take out the axel and everything attatched to that to get to it :(

[anhandrew]

I've just notice this problem 2 for 3 weeks back. Never notice it before. I brought it into firestone and they say it is normal for the rack and pinion to sound like that. I was like say what? Sounds like Sh*t to me. I can actually feel mine on the floor board.

Any help will be insightful.

Thanks

Andrew

[99capergrandam]

I have the exact same problem with mine. If anyone finds out for sure what causes it I would like to know. I've had my front end inspected during my last Motor Vehicle Inspection and they couldn't find anything.

[dcmain]

Check the mounting bolts for the steering rack. They are usually attached right near the foot wells and you would feel a pop as you turn the wheel left then right if they are not tight.