have a problem with steering and brake popping noise 90' 240sx

[Got240]

does any one had a popping coming from the brakes and steering??? when i steer all the way to the left, prob a quarter before full counter, you could hear a popping noise and when i return the steering wheel back it pops again. this noise also happen when ever i brake, when driving 10mph and higher and i step on the brake, you could hear the popping noise again. and when stepping on brakes in idle it does not pop. i have no idea where is this coming from. any one who knows what going on pleas help!!!????

[240Ghost]

Yeap, I have the brake popping also.

[Beancooker]

Are the wheels and tires bone stock, or aftermarket. If they are aftermarket, what is the offset, and size? Basically I'm thinking that the tires may be rubbing.

[Got240]

rubbing on what though? the wheels are the oem "blackies" or "steelies".

[xagna]

It seems like your front lower control arm joint is going. Since you say that this is happenning only when you are moving, it seems the case.

[Got240]

it also pops when the car is not moving and when turning the wheel all the way to the left, it pops....??? would that be still the lower control arm?

[xagna]

Yes, moving front wheel moves the ball joint on the FLCA and is the ball joint is worn, it pops or clunks loudly.

[Got240]

thanks man i'll check that out. i got another question, how does the braking effects the joint that makes it pop??

[HashiriyaS14]

I have this "brake popping" as well.

This is the only thread I could find that addressed the problem.

Am I hearing a small quantity of air/fluid being expelled through a leak when I hit my pedal?

I have odd pedal pressure and I lost enough fluid (tiny amt) in a 4-month period for the light to come on (added fluid, light went out).

Sounds like it's coming from the right rear? Does anyone think it's a leak, or would I just have zero pressure if it was a leak? Car stops fine.

[dkdeleon68]

tension rod bushings are bad.

[HashiriyaS14]

I really don't think it's my tension rod bushings.

I replaced my tension rods this past year and I have brand-new Energy urethane bushings on them.

I barely have to depress the pedal to get the popping noise, just maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

It only occurs while moving, I tried putting the car in neutral and there was no noise.

It *only* does it when I depress the brakes. It does not happen when turning, etc.... I hear the sound at precisely the same point on the brake pedal travel every time.

[rotorimp]

You could have a stuck piston in your caliper--check your brake pad wear.

[HashiriyaS14]

^^I will check that out.

All 4 calipers are recent remans though, installed last August.

I swear, if one of these went bad, I'm going to go nuts. Stupid S13 calipers. I replaced the originals with these remans *because* of a stuck piston.

[HashiriyaS14]

I haven't had a chance to jack the car up and check the caliper, but if it was stuck, wouldn't the car feel a little sluggish, or pull to one side, or something?

I drove it all weekend and it drove perfectly.

[180fan]

when was the last time you checked out the top mounts on your struts?

[HashiriyaS14]

when was the last time you checked out the top mounts on your struts?

Never.

But wouldn't that cause noise at other times, like turning?

[180fan]

it can but not always. when did you last inspect/replace your top mounts?

I've had/seen popping from several things.

1. worn tc bushings.solution: replaced with whiteline bushings2. front lca's.solution: replaced the front lca's with new oem units.3. top mounts.solution: bought coilovers4. had a popping sound with the coils top mounts once in a while when turningsolution: took some Triflow lube with teflon at the upper pillowball mounts and it cleared up the occasional popping.5. one other thing that is possible, is with lowered cars on struts that were not really meant for lowering springs is that rotate around when going over some of the hills and pot holes in my area and it can cause the spring to shift around and rotate. a little bit of lithium grease at the spring seats can quiet down the noise from the springs quite a bit.6. the problem I've currently got is when I brake, the cooling loop on the power steering line (runs along the engine cross member) got a bit loose so it hits the cross member and makes a sand grinding kinda sound. I've been too tired and busy to slap a zip tie on it...

I'm a bit reluctant to blame your brakes though. Reason is if it were a seized caliper, you'd hear more grinding than popping, ditto with the wear. I suspect another culprit that's causing the noise. if it happens only when you brake, it'll be from the weight getting transfered over which is why I pointed out the strut mounts. My suspicions leads to any of the 6 I've come across, and that's usually nothing that a simple inspection can't solve. Or if you're really lazy, and have a lifetime alignment deal with some shop, have them do the alignment and check over your parts lol. They'll report back, give you a quote and your answer. lol

[HashiriyaS14]

The only reason I hesitate to blame anything suspension-related is that I'm not certain it has anything to do with weight transfer.

The sound happens at the *exact* same point of brake pedal travel every time, and it's almost right when you touch the pedal, so before any meaningful braking has taken place.

I actually just got an alignment very recently, and thus I still have free alignments at NTB. Maybe I should let them look it over for me tomorrow.

[180fan]

at the exact same place? so your situation isn't speed based but more of the distance traveled by the pedal?

[rotorimp]

I have had a "Sticky" caliper that would do the same thing. It was not seized just had a hang up that took some pressure to get past and it sounded like a pop. Re-mans do not always get the attention they need.I replaced the caliper and it was good.

[HashiriyaS14]

^^How would I conclusively test for that?

It doesn't appear to happen in neutral (I have an auto).

I think I'm going to take it by NTB and have them check it out for me, seeing as how it's free for a year and all that.

[thebutcher]

Well I have been having a similar problem also... i drive a 1992 Fastback auto and its stock... while breaking i hear a clanking noise or "popping" from under my car sounds like something is loose but ive checked (not thoroughly) It also makes my steering wheel shake a little....... Also when im fully stopped while car is in Drive as i let off the break pedal I hear the clank... especially if i release my foot quickly.

Also i forgot to mention the sounds coming from the front suspension i can feel it on the break pedal.

[sr20fan]

had the same problem with my 93 manual. turning the wheel and applying brakes had the popping. make sure everything is bolted up. the sway bar bracket could be missing a bolt and might look good and all but, you never know.fortunately, when i replaced the missing bolts, tension rods, lower arms and ball joints, it stopped.

[RB20DETodd]

go to http://www.frsport.com buy new lower control arms and call it a day.