Another noise that I noticed on my car pretty long time ago, but it wasn't as loud and frequent. So I never posted about it. About 6 months ago I noticed that a lot of time when the car is parked for a while (over 2 hours) and you start backing in AFTER you start turning the steering wheel and the front tires are at above 25-30 degree to the body it makes a loud noise that almost sounds like a metal to metal knock when you slightly hit the accelerator pedal. It does not necessarily happen when you hit a bump-- could be on a perfect surface. Only happens once and after that no matter how many times you back up and which way you do it-- as long as the car is not parked for that amount of time I mentioned. Recenly I noticed that it started occuring after it's parked for even 5 minutes, but now it also happens when you're in drive and once again-- wheels have to be turned and you gotta hit the accelerator. This noise got a lot louder. I would be glad to just leave it as it is and wait for something to go out, but since it's suspension consequences make me think twice especially with me doing 100+ in this car almost every day. Could it be the FRPP springs? Even though they never sounded like that before. How does a bad ball joint sound and does it have to do with the wheels being turned? How do you even test a ball joint? Would lifting up the car, putting a jack stand next to the ball joint, bringing it down and shaking the tire at the top and bottom be the right way? What am I looking for if it is? Should I just take the car to a garage?
P.S. the noise is loud enough for my friend to notice it first time it occured and he doesn't even have a car and knows nothing about them so I guess that explains how bad it is.

 

Anyone? Anyone knows how to test a ball joint at least?

 

There are several TSB's involving front end noises.

Link1

Link2

Link3

Link4


Norm

 

Don't know what to tell you about the noise you're experiencing, but I have a suggestion for ball-joint checks. I've always checked them by doing the following:

1. Jack the tire off the floor a couple of inches.

2. Slide tire tool or other prying instrument under the tire, apply upward pressure and check for slack/freeplay in the joint.

3. No slack of any kind is allowed.

Hope this helps.