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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: r0tor on July 03, 2017, 03:59:31 PM

Title: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 03, 2017, 03:59:31 PM
Symptoms...

A series of cracking/popping sounds is heard from the front end of the Rx8 while pulling in and especially backing out of parking spots (with the wheel cranked).  It also does it while coming to a stop with light brake pressure (wheel straight).

I thought it sounded like a loose wheel.  Torqued and tightened everything a few times. I also went over every bolt I could find in the front end of the car and didn't find anything loose.  I also tried to pry on the hubs with a pry bar to see if I could figure it out - but that failed as well.  No obvious wear pattern spotted on the tires either.

Im out of ideas.  Bad suspension bushing?  A scary thought is a ball joint is about to blow out... Dunno
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: FoMoJo on July 03, 2017, 04:53:59 PM
Wheel bearings? :huh:
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: MX793 on July 03, 2017, 04:56:29 PM
Stone in a brake dust cover?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: Rupert on July 03, 2017, 05:01:01 PM
Tie rod ends?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: shp4man on July 03, 2017, 05:01:55 PM
Checking the ball joints involves getting the front wheels off the ground (safely) and shake them up and down and back and forth hard. have a buddy watch where the issue is if you feel play. 
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: FoMoJo on July 03, 2017, 05:04:07 PM
Sway bar link?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 03, 2017, 06:29:23 PM
Let's see...

- Doesn't make noises in corners like a wheel bearing
- don't have brake disc covers
- sway bars and links seem fine and the bars shouldn't be loaded when I have issues
- ball joints don't budge when I had the car jacked up

I'm perplexed  :huh:
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: 68_427 on July 03, 2017, 07:50:35 PM

apex seals time for the crusher
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: MexicoCityM3 on July 03, 2017, 08:20:10 PM
(https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/indy100/ZJb5WgnP5vl/19512-1jhqgk4.png)
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 03, 2017, 08:23:23 PM
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on July 03, 2017, 08:20:10 PM
(https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/indy100/ZJb5WgnP5vl/19512-1jhqgk4.png)

I think my 9mm might fix that
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: 12,000 RPM on July 04, 2017, 08:37:45 AM
Do you have aftermarket bushings?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 04, 2017, 08:40:17 AM
original bushings
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: 12,000 RPM on July 04, 2017, 05:01:02 PM
Like from 2004?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 04, 2017, 05:30:20 PM
2003 actually
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: 12,000 RPM on July 13, 2017, 05:45:07 AM
Did you ever find out what was wrong?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 17, 2017, 05:52:01 AM
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on July 13, 2017, 05:45:07 AM
Did you ever find out what was wrong?

Nope... 2 more data points though

The dealer couldn't find it either. Gave it back to me after inspection and said "it can't be anything major" and then bitched that I have too many aftermarket parts to be sure...

Also, I drove. Through a monsoon rain storm and it stopped the sound until it dried out. 
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: FoMoJo on July 17, 2017, 07:17:23 AM
Cracking / Popping bushing?
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: r0tor on July 17, 2017, 07:58:30 AM
Might be.

Don't know, maybe I will start squirting things up until it stops
Title: Re: Cracking / Popping sound
Post by: giant_mtb on July 17, 2017, 03:43:12 PM
That's what she said.