There's a loud "pum" noise that comes in front of the car when I slammed the brakes or when I let it go, I can feel it on the steering wheel, also when I hit a pot hole, and sometimes when I turn the wheel not all the time just sometimes. Took it to ford they said it was the rack and pinion, I put another one and same pum noise?? I don't know what could it be I taking it back to ford Tuesday.

 

can you describe it any better?? could be the abs engaging when its not supposed to

 

I know but it's hard to explain, but you made a good point b/c i hear it the most when I press the brake pedal although sometimes I hear it without applying the brakes. (insert scratching my head simbol)

 

Could it be ball joints or tie-rod ends?...I'm replacing these one my car right now. How many miles are on your car?..My car has 153,000 miles and it had the originals, so I was definately due. Maybe this is your case.

 

Could be a loose caliper mount. What kinda car?

 

just a dumb question, how can you expect people to diagnose your problem without driving or being in your car? a problem like that , since u dont really know how to diagnose you should bring to a shop and have them find out the problem pay the diag charge and fix it yourself if you can thats the easiest way to do it

 

Quick way to chec ball joints is to get it up on jackstands with the wheels centered and off the ground, grab the sides of each wheel first towards the top, then towards the bottom and push/pull it back and fourth and listen for any clicking. You shouldnt get more than maybe 1/16 or so movement on them. Do it with both the top and the bottom of each front wheel. Next, take the jack and put some pressure on one of the lower control arms. Get a prybar and carefully pry up between the lower control arm and the steerign knuckle to check for movement. To check for tie rod ends get under there, grab them right by the ends and try to move it up and down, back and fourth and in and out. While your under there check out the caliper and make sure its tight. Also check the U joints going to the steering wheel. Idk what kind of car it is but on most there are two... one is easy and right under the dash, the other is usually right on top of the rack and pinion, so youll need to get under the car. Youll probably have to pull back the boot to check the lower one. To check these you want to grab the shaft on each side of the joint and twist in opposite directions, but if anything it sounds like you might have vertical movement so try pulling them apart and pushing them back together.

Jim

 

Also, check your motor mounts.
I broke many from old muscle cars back in the day. That sounds like a clunking when acceleration usaully, but sometime when you hit bumps or brake.
Good luck.
Troy

 

^^^ that sounds more like it, did you feel it in your steering wheel?

I tell the mechanic tomorrow
my car has 96,000 miles



97 mustang gt

I did took it to ford, they said it was the rack & pinion, I put another one in but still same problem

 

when you took it to ford did you ask an advisor or a mechanic... big difference since most advisors know nothing... and did the person actually diag the problem or did they just give you a thought?