Front right pop/bang over speed bumps, right hand (passenger) side.

When I drive over speed bumps at a moderate speed, say 5ish MPH, that works the front suspension through its range, I often get an audible pop/bang on the right side front suspension. The suspension isn't bottoming out, but is sort of feels like something is hitting or binding. I haven't experienced this sound/sensation in normal driving at all.

Although it is audible, I wouldn't characterize it is a loud sound, and physical sensation is mild too, but definitely felt through the steering wheel.

Any thoughts? Struts, CV, or even normal?

And yes, I could drive over the speed bumps even slower, but I'm still curious if the sound is an indicator of any issues.

Thanks,
Al

Well it's certainly not normal. It sounds like it could be a ball joint or a control arm bushing. Your best bet is to get the rf of the car off the ground and give it a good 'ol shakedown.

Sway bar endlink? I've had it where just the head or nut blows off. First glance looks like the link is A-OK and attached, but when you life the car you will see it seperate. The one I had sounds similar to what you describe. Something to rule out anyway...

Sway bar end link or bad sway bar bushing? I had an Addco sway bar in my car and actually ripped the steel out of the subframe around the bushing nuts, it took us a while to figure out where the noise was coming from!

Thanks, will check it all out.

I vote end links, too. Wife drives a 2009 Ford Focus. It sounded at 20,000 miles like the front end was falling off. The old links seemed fine when I took them off but there was no noise after replacement. My 97 Riviera got new end links today with a brake job. Passenger side was broken. No noise or handling issues.

Thanks, will be buying a set of AA's improved end-links very soon regardless, so that would be nice if that was the culprit.

Al

Agree it could be any of the suggested things. Also could be cradle insulators need replaced (although this sounds more like a "clunk" than a pop/bang, imo).

Discovered broken right end link on the Riv with spring oil change. No noise or change in steering or handling. And don't notice any change since replacement.

I know this is an old thread, but it is very similar to my issue I have been having. This all on the left side of the car. I have recently replaced the hub and control arm assembly and that has fixed other issues I was having, but I still have this clicking/popping sound coming from the left side. I hear it when I steer and I hear it going over bumps. Sometimes it sounds like a rattle when I'm at highway speed and hit small bumps. I do not have a broke end link and I have replced the left side sway bar mount earlier this year and that still looks fine. My only thoughts from reading would be tie rod, but steering seems fine and strut bearing which were new 4 years and 30k miles ago. So until I do some more checking tonight and hoping I can figure it out. I'm kind of at a loss. So any suggestions would be appreciated.

I've had a popping noise from the D-side for about a year now. I'm chalking it up to the cradle mounts in the body itself being rotten. LCM's are new, struts, mounts, bearings, end links good, sway bar bushings good. I gave up searching for it....

Sounds like where I'm at.  I did have to have my rear two cradle mounts replaced a few years ago, becuase when I had the shop put my front sway bar in they broke the bolts off in the body.

It doesn't happen all the time, in fact some days it doesn't happen at all. Other days, it's pretty a pretty constant POP. Happens more when turning and hitting a bump. Like going around a 25mph corner.

Sounds pretty close to my issue. Mine has been doing it all the time though. Sometimes it is louder and more constant than other times. Today for example, it isn't as loud as it was yesterday. I can hear it at any speed it seems. The fast I'm going the less I hear it though, but say I'm going about 5 to 10mph. I can yank the wheel back and forth and hear it.

Put a bit of clay between the top of the struts and the hood. Since I'm running Gabriel struts they stick up a bit higher than stock and tap the bottom of the hood. I'm going to grind them down when I get a chance because there's a good inch of material before the threads start. Maybe take it down to half an inch or a quarter of an inch.

I have KYB's that have been on there for 4 years. They don't stick up past the mount on the body. My STB sits higher.

Abaddon wrote:

I've had a popping noise from the D-side for about a year now. I'm chalking it up to the cradle mounts in the body itself being rotten. LCM's are new, struts, mounts, bearings, end links good, sway bar bushings good. I gave up searching for it....

The sway bar end links may not be tight enough (i kinda doubt this on your car but you might want to check) and the bushings "reseat" themselves.

This why on the OE links the bushings at the bar and at the control arm are two (very) different sizes.

Albertj