[Chrissmazdamx6]

i got my front end aligned after having it lowered quite a few months back (I know I shouldnt have waited so long to get it aligned, but I did...oh well. The point is, when I did my lowering at first, I didnt put the top "spring cushions" on, or whatever theyre called...its the rubber piece that goes between the spring and the top and bottom of the strut. While driving around on my springs being like this for a couple months, my springs slipped and made a popping or a clicking noise everytime I turned the wheel. I figured this could be corrected by simply buying new rubber pieces and putting them on the springs so it wont rub when turning. I did so about a month ago, and it still made this noise, as if the rubber piece isnt holding the spring in place this. After going through two sets of tires due to having not gotten an alignment, I deciding its time I do so, and I bought a camber kit and took my car to Pep Boys. My alignment is good now (everything is between the min and max factory specs) but now my car makes this popping noise even louder, and not only in turning, but when the wheel is perfectly straight, and the car is either slowing down from about 30 and sometimes even accelerating. It may even do it all the time, but I cant hear it past 30 MPH, because my car is too loud. The guy at Pep Boys told me that my "Bearing Plates" were bad, and thats why it makes that noise while turning. First off, what is a bearing plate, and is this noise im now hearing while stopping the same thing, or is it different? What do I do to fix this problem, because it doesnt sound good, and its starting to bother me.
Chris

 

[soulstylee]

There is a little plastic bearing on the strut mount. They're inexpensive and definately make a popping noise when worn out. It's quite possible that your misalignment caused severe stress on the bearing and prematurely wore them out. You should be able to pick up the bearings, unbolt the 4 strut bolts and the Jesus nut. Pull off the mount, replace the bearings and bolt everything back together. The only tricky part is tightening the Jesus nut, the main nut. You should use an impact hammer, otherwise you'll never get it tight enough. When I did some work, I had to swing over to my mechanic after I completed my job so he could torque the two bolts properly.

 

[Chrissmazdamx6]

Ok, I have a couple of questions....first off, youre talking about the piece that goes on the top of the strut, right? Its the piece that goes on top of the spring, and connects the strut to the body of the car. This very well may be it, because when the wheel is turned, you can see the spring rub against the spring seat and then pop out of place. But what about the popping noiuse I hear when im driving? Its getting worse and worse, and though it sounds the same as the popping noise when the wheel is turned, I dont see why it would do that while driving. Someone told me it sounds like the ball joint, but I dont even know who he was, so im not going to trust his opinion (Not to mention he worked at Walmart) Can anyone else confirm either of these theories, or does anyone else have a different idea?
Chris

 

[Krazy6]

I know that this post is a little late, but, the problem may be from a torn axle shaft boot.

The half shaft boot holds the lubricant for the half shaft, and when the boot rips or breaks, then all the lubricant seeps out and the half shaft connections dry up and then metal to metal contact happens, which is the worst thing ever. After a little while with no lubricant, the noise from the bearings or some part of the half shaft start to make a popping or "clicking" sound.... mainly when turning.