Popping sound during U-turn

[ScubaSteve]

Went to Circuit City last nite and ended up having to do a U-turn... wasn't going fast at all - the space I turned in was only two lanes wide, but I had to cut the wheel all the way left. Almost all the way through the turn I hear a pretty loud POP (loud enough to concern me a little) from underneath the car. Any ideas? Should I be worried? The nearest Isuzu dealership is about 45 minutes up the road... not a trip I can take on my lunch break. Sounded like it came from the center of the car -- maybe the transfer case?

[ScubaSteve]

just a note - i've got less than 15k miles on it

[SoilDoc]

ScubaSteve,

Mine does the same thing. I was making a u-turn after asking a pedestrian for directions (I wouldn't have asked but my girlfriend was in the car). He walked past. I tried the u-turn and didn't want to ride up on the curb. I put it in reverse and "POP." The noise happens when I turn the wheels all the way left and stop.

Drives me nuts.

Any comments, suggestions, insights?

Jed

[ameetw]

Try greasing under the truck. It worked for my other truck. But lasted only for a month Maybe should have used lithium based....

[technocoy]

only mine comes from the front and it sounds like the power steerting binding or something coming into contact with each other.

It only happens on really sharp turns were the steering is turned fully to one side, and i am at lower speed.

i can't seem to reproduce it all the time though.

technocoy

[Amack76]

mine does that too, i have no clue?

[gruven]

Yeah- I get the same thing but I usually notice it when backing in reverse (such as out of a driveway onto a street). It does not appear to need a radical turn to make this happen- mine though is a mellow single thump as compared to a pop.

hmmmmmm

-gruven

[chumone]

Mine has been doing the same thing on tight turns for the last two months. Is it something to worry about and get fixed while the VX is still under warranty? If it's just a noise and not something mechanically wrong, then I can live with it.

[Joe_Black]

Welcome to owning a short-wheelbase vehicle with a differential. Normal noise, you're just slightly inside the gear curve of the front diff for the turn radius. My Trooper RS did this and a friend's Land Rover Lightweight (88" wheelbase to our 90") does too.

[Panther_Black_VX]

Mine does that as well. I now know how far not to turn the wheel....

[paultvx]

Yup... it's normal. Jeeps do it it. Just about any 4wd does it. Wouldn't hurt to avoid it though.

[Anita]

Thanks Joe for explaining what that noise is.. mine does that too.

[Heraclid]

I don't recall getting a noticeable popping noise during tight turning, but I sometimes do get a squeal like I'm spinning a wheel. Must be normal... Joe, I remember yours doing it as I followed you around the turns in that parking garage in Daytona and then mine was right behind echoing it. :-)

[paultvx]

Squeal=tire spin... get it all the time. Neighbors think I hot rod it all the time.

[Pens]

Mine does this also, if you pay close attention it happens when the TOD clicks in at about five miles per hour. I think it is just the extra traction being put the the front wheels. When you turn on pavement it doesn't give and you get the popping in the front drivetrain. (just my educated guess since I am not to mechanically inclined)