Suspension pop/snap

I am experiencing a loud pop/snap/cracking sound from the front suspension under certain situations. Also have a light rattle sound coming from up front.
They are very different sounds but can't tell if they are related.

The pop sound only comes when pulling out of my driveway which is up hill and to the right. Steering wheel is pulled pretty much from a full left turn position to a right turn position as I pull up the hill. It pops once loudly.

The other slight rattle is heard almost all the time even as you drive down a straight road. Almost a light random tapping sound.

I have found that the right side tie rod arm of the steering rack is probably the light rattle. Probably is the bushing inside where the rack piston exits the rack. I can make it rattle up and down about 1/4 inch.

But I cant figure out the loud popping sound. Could it be from the same problem? Or could it possibly be the lower ball joints? Would a ball joint make a loud pop? Or would it just squeak if it was failing?

Any help or comments would be hightly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

Is it a similar sound to if you were to sharply rap a knuckle on the fender?

 

Yes,

The popping sound is just like rapping a knuckle on the fender. Kind of a hollow pop.

??

Mark

 

i would check your shock bushings, control arm bushings and ball joints. with the car jacked up and the wheel off, insert a crow bar to put a load on the ball joint and try to move the suspension up and down ( not side to side). i know there must me an exact allowance , but i have checked them by "eye" for so long, i know it when they are bad by sight and feel. basically you dont want lots of loose movement or noise. if a ball joint fails with on the road at speed, its not a pretty sight. you dont want to know how i know! if the control arm bushings are original and or cracked / missing, you will get excessive movement during suspension travel. shock bushings are fairly easy to figure out, bounce the car and see what makes noise! my guess is ball joints, but look carefully at the whole control arm package. best. michael

 

Mark
I'd start by pulling the rack. There should be no play. Bushing has gone. Other could be ball joint or rack. Clearly it is letting you know something is wrong as you load one side then the other.
Philip