The car’s parts deteriorate with time and stop functioning as they should. They frequently emit noises or may modify your car’s driving characteristics.
Now a single pop sound when turning confuses you a lot? What leads to this situation, and how to fit it?
Since the suspension is the device that ensures your stability and safety on the road, these sounds may first be horrifying. The good news is that everything can be rectified, so don’t worry.
Check the next parts to know more about it!
What Is A Popping Noise?
What is the single pop noise when turning? Similar to clunking noise, rubbing noise or wheel bearing noise, this is a common problem with your wheels.
This noise can impact the vehicle’s ability to drive since popping or squeaking sounds indicate a problem that has to be fixed.
Additionally, the single pop noise when turning the steering wheel can signal that you’re in danger.
Because suspension issues typically cause popping and squeaking sounds when turning or adjusting the steering wheel while the car is still.
If you want to have the best possible driving experience, one of the essentials that must be checked and in proper functioning order is the suspension.
However, you must also improve your component testing and troubleshooting skills.
Single Pop Sound When Turning: The Common Causes
What makes a pop sound when turning the wheel? There are the five most common reasons that you or your mechanic need to check and fix: broken cv joints, worn out tie rod, defective struts, incorrect tire inflation, and loose hubcaps.
Broken CV Joints
When you hear the single pop when turning left or right, check your CV joints. It’s considered the main cause and should be inspected first
The CV joint is an axle mounted at an angle and moves with the tire. It functions as a component of the CV axle, transferring the torque from the transfer case to the wheels.
All of this mobility is run by the object’s numerous bearings and flexible construction.
But these usually lose their luster with time. Either low lubrication or heavy miles would cause that.
As the bearings deteriorate, you will start to hear loud popping noises when turning, and as the issue worsens, you will notice these sounds more frequently.
Worn Out Tie Rod
Your car’s tie rods may also deteriorate and start to make popping noises when turning. These tie rods, which connect your steering rack to the wheel, in essence, have a significant impact on steering.
Therefore, you will have some serious steering issues and popping noises when turning if the tie rods are faulty.
The steering ability is essential to keep your car on the road. Should your end links’ ball joints be worn, your car won’t steer properly and will pop and screech as you accelerate into a bend.
Over many kilometers, the grease in the ball joints at the tie rod’s end is being lost, and dust or other debris is getting inside and eating away at the metal. This will make steering less effective.
Defective Struts
The struts can degrade and result in a variety of problems. The same type of failure occurs with struts as with all other suspension parts. From the seals, hydraulic fluid begins to leak.
They are subjected to a great deal of stress, which is why this is the case. This tension negatively impacts their health; eventually, they will start to leak and make popping noises when spinning the wheel.
Their diagnosis is rather simple. When you drive, you’ll sense that the car bounces rather than absorbing the blows from bumps and potholes. This bumpy ride will affect your driving experience, and your car will perform horribly.
Incorrect Tire Inflation
When all the tires are not inflated to the same tire pressure, the strange noise when turning could frequently happen.
When turning to the left or when using the right tire while driving, it causes the wheels to yield a popping sound.
The good news is that this particular issue is simple and affordable to handle. Ensure all tires have comparable specifications, a similar design, and the proper air pressure.
Loose Hubcaps
The last cause that creates single pop when turning right and left is a loose hubcap. In particular, there is too much free-play in the hubcaps, and the noise is produced as a result.
A new pair of hubcaps will do when the hubcap eventually becomes too loose and falls off somewhere on the road. You should expect to pay $30 to $50 for a brand-new set.
What To Do If You Hear A Popping Noise When Turning Wheel?
I hear the popping noise when I turn the steering wheel; what should you do next?
Diagnose The Issue
You have a few options for diagnosing the issues on your own.
First, if the unusual sound occurs while the car is stopped, you can have a helper turn the wheel back and forth while you search underneath the car for the noise’s origin.
If the noise only occurs while driving, you can use an electronic stethoscope, also known as “chassis ears,” to identify the source of the sound.
These gadgets include microphones that you can install in suspicious places around the vehicle to help locate the source of the noise while driving.
Fix It
As mentioned above, five main issues create the popping sound when turning the wheel. Depending on what you have to face, you can apply the solution accordingly.
With broken CV joints, worn-out tie rods, defective struts, or loose hubcaps, replacing the new ones is the best choice as they can’t remain the best performance.
About the incorrect tire inflation, it’s easier for you. You need to measure and inflate the tires so that the four wheels are even.
If the mechanics detect additional hazards or problems, they will consult and carry out repairs for you.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Replace CV Joint?
Having an exact number is difficult because it will depend on many factors. Usually, if you do it yourself at home, the cost will be more economical when it falls between $100 and $170.
When people detect the cracking noise when turning, they usually ask for help from the mechanic for better inspection and fixing.
If you bring your vehicle to a repair center, it will be more expensive, ranging from $280 to $800.
You can rely on some of the following factors to estimate how much you need to pay:
- Car model: On some cars, replacing the CV joint is simple, but on others, it may be very challenging.
- Mechanic: You will need to locate a qualified mechanic who can fix this component for a fair price. Getting quotes from a few different professional mechanics is a good idea.
- Component cost: Depending on the type, the cost of different CV Joints might vary greatly.
How Can You Fix The Popping Noise at Home? When To See A Mechanic?
How can you fix it if the car makes a popping noise when turning?
From beneath the steering column, locate its shaft. It should be moved up and down while being checked for looseness and clanking.
Check for grease, wear, corrosion, or other damage. The shaft or steering components should be replaced if it is noisy or loose.
Although you might lubricate the steering shaft, this is only a short-term solution, and the issue will probably recur.
Straighten and lock the steering wheel in case the shaft is removed to prevent it from spinning and breaking the clock spring.
The steering shaft’s top and bottom nuts and bolts should be loosened and taken out. The middle steering shaft will telescope outward and downward.
Like the way that it was removed, reinstall the steering shaft to finish.
Above is the most basic and simple guide. However, if you aren’t confident in your abilities or do not have much experience in repairing, we recommend that you seek help from professionals.
Carelessness or a wrong operation can also lead to more serious damage, costing you more to repair.
Is It Expensive To Replace A Loose Hubcap?
Replacing the loose hub cap, as mentioned above, is the method to solve the popping noise when turning the wheel.
The usual hubcap will cost between $30 and $50 for each piece, depending on its size, brand, material, and place of purchase.
However, hubcaps from luxury car manufacturers or other higher-end brands can cost upwards of $100 for each. Hubcaps with certain features, such as spinners, can retail for $50 to $100.
This is only the fee for purchasing spare parts. Suppose you use services at service centers. This fee can increase to about 2 to 3 times.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, the five main causes that make the single pop sound when turning include:
- Broken CV joints
- Worn out tie rod
- Defective struts
- Incorrect tire inflation
- Loose hubcaps
You can proactively diagnose the problem and fix it at home. However, visual inspection and repair from an expert are always highly recommended to avoid unnecessary damage and ensure the best vehicle performance.