1999 nissan frontier torsion bar pop on rh side

[fastmonteus]

My frontier has a pop coming from rf torsion barwhen i touch the brakes it makes a loud popping noise and pulls to the right caliper bolts are tight wheel bearins are tight is there a torsion bar bushing or any thingthat needs replacingnot familiar with nissan torsion bars.if you shake the truck w/ someone under it you can feel torsion bar pop Tim

[Big-Bird]

Check the front T-bar bracket, adjuster arm and cross member for loose nuts, or excessive wear.(See attached image)

You should inspect your upper and lower ball joints. You need to lift the RF corner by placing a floor jack directly under the lower control arm. Raise the front corner just enough so you can get a hand under the tire. Place the other hand on the top of the tire and wiggle it top to bottom...(NOT SIDE TO SIDE). You will feel, maybe even hear a clicking from excessive play if something is wore out.

Sometimes having a second person wiggle the tire while you look at the upper and lower ball joints will let you see how much movement, if any, the ball joints have. There should be ZERO movement.

Now there is another far more serious issue that could be at fault....Have you had a wheel alignment lately?

The upper control arms have cam-adjusters that may have come loose and will move when you apply the brakes. (Been there myself) The Alignment tech forgot to tighten one of the cam adjusters. Everytime I hit the brakes my Xterra would pull hard to the right. Mine came loose while I was out wheeling on a steep hill climb. I had a very serious discussion with his boss when I got back to the city.

[fastmonteus]

if that tbar crossmember is worn is it replaceable.this truck has had same noise for 3 years just hadnt figured it out .Its been aligned several times i wonder could some one overlooked the cam adjuster.the last alignment they done a half *** toe and go didnt even check my tire pressure which one front tire was low how do i know if cross member is worn thanks Tim

[Big-Bird]

All the Torsion bar brackets and cross bar are replaceable but I suggest you check those other items first that I listed before you go buy any new parts. The area to check is just near the top of the oval where the adjuster arm rides inside the oval. When you look at it you will know if it's wore out. A small amount of wear is normal and should be expected. But if one side of the oval is severly worn down and the T-bar is flopping around in there you know you'll need a new cross member. If you can get a digital image and show it to me here or email it to me I can tell you if it's buggered or not.

One last thing to check: Are the lower control arm (LCA) bushings in good condition? If these are worn out then it could also cause the same problem you are describing. The Torsion bar would slap the LCA around if those bushings are toast. And it would cause the vehicle to wander when you touch the brakes. If you have a pry bar and can get into an area under the lower control arm you can check to see if these are damaged.

Seriously though you should have that whole front end checked properly.Tie rods, idler arm, center link, ball joints, control arm bushings, tosion bars and all the brackets, and the pitman arm/sterring box.

[fastmonteus]

i,ll definitly take a look at that stuff myself i dont trust anyone around here

[fastmonteus]

I checked the front end out found the bolt stripped out for the torsion bar to lower control arm replaced bolt it was a son ofa gun to change but i still have popping when i turn some and hitbrakes as far as i see lca bushings have no play and ball joints are fine upper control arm nuts are tight any other thoughts on this

[wa-chiss]

I have an 01 XTerra and I hear a pop when I'm backing up down my driveway when I turn the wheel. Could it be the same problem as fastmonteus'? It definatly sounds and feels like it's coming from the RF.

[Luv2ski35]

I am going to put my money on your turn stops being worn. they are on the spindle and hit a spot on the lower control arm when you turn sharp. they are supposed to have some plastic on them to stop them from squeeking and popping, but that wears off pretty easily. It can easily sound like a t-bar popping...Good thing is, even when they are worn and making noise, they are still doing their job and have no ill effect on anything other than your ears. AND they are cheap to replace...or even easier to slap some grease on a few times a month....

My truck has been through some serious off-roading and I have yet to wear out anything with the t-bar anchors or adjusters. I have broken t-bars themselves, but that is a one time pop that sounds like a shotgun.

[Luv2ski35]

actually I just re-read....that you can shake the truck.

Check your LOWER ball joints.