Front End 'POP'-why?

[ShelbyZ]

Just a quick note about the bushings for the sway bar. On mid to early 1988 ShelbyZ's
some of the upper center sway bar bushings had a different type of "D" type retainer welded in to the frame. If you go to Welcome to Poly Bushings.com and look at his explanation with pictures it is easier to understand. I originally ordered the 1 1/4" sway bar bushing set from Energy Suspension. These were right out of their catalogue for the 88 ShelbyZ. A complete waste of money. I tried to adapt the ones Energy sent me and ruined them because I didn't know of the screwed up bracket they welded into the socket for the the bushing. I hope this helps and you haven't already done what
I did. Good luck,
Darren

[mmtphoto]

thanks for that tip-I took one side of the sway bar bushings out this morning, and measured the bar thickness (1 1/8") then went to NAPA and got the inners and outers-mine are also the 'D' shape in the center and, back in the 90s, a body shop near me (Collex, now Collision Max,different name same amateurs) fixed collision damage and replaced a cracked K-member-and put the center bushings in backwards (duh)...so new bushings, but the 'pop' is still there...next will be the strut bearings.

I am also reconsidering the engine position and it's affect on the axles-I read a primer on mini-mopar on checking the position of the engine by removing the wheels, the hubs and measuring the distance the axles move when pushed in-they are supposed to be within 1/8 of an inch, or you unbolt the front and passenger side mounts and pry on the engine to center it, then lock it down-I think i have to read it a few times to get it.

I changed the fuel filter, bought a insulation blanket for the new starter since I do not want to replace that again for at least 20 more years, still trying to solve the 'pop'-but I am going to take a 100 plus mile trip in it tomorrow, first real driving in it in the last four plus years.

[lennylebaron]

I would almost guarantee it is the strut bearings. When I changed my struts on my caravan a while ago I noticed that the strut bearing assembly was looking very "worn" but since I had to have the van up and running the next day and couldnt find anyone who had them on hand, I put everything back together. It has been making that popping noise every since. Mine makes the pop anytime I make a turn on uneven ground or when I hit the entrance strip on a parking lot with one tire before the other. More than anything its just annoying. My whole front end needs to be gone through so it will be another thing on the list to replace.