I recently noticed a loud 'pop' or creak sound coming from my driver side wheel occasionally when making sharp turns (u-turn, or backing out of driveway while turning).

Any idea what it could be? I've been told it's most likely a strut mount, but figured I would check here first.

Thanks.

 

Most likely your axle has a bad CV joint. Replace the axle.

 

bad axles generally make a repetitive clunking/knocking noise. not just a single pop.

if it's a single pop, it could be slop in your suspension. could be ball joint, bushings, or other things. hard to know without looking underneath the car.

 

I agree. The car should be put on jacks stands to inspect the axles and suspension components for excessive free play and the inner and outer rubber boots on the axles for tears.

 

Though verification is clearly needed, the type of noise heard by michael_bolton will generally indicate a bad CV joint (see text and link below).

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/bf100434.htm

 

true, if the popping noises are continuous while turning. i understood it as a single pop... but it's not clear from the original post.

 

It's a single 'pop'/'creak' sound during the turn. If I try the same turn again right after hearing the sound, I can't reproduce it. It used to happen just occasionally (every couple of weeks), but now I'm noticing it several times a week.

Thanks for your suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

My guess would be a bad CV when you look under the car, check the boot for leaks.

 

mine creaks every time i turn and press the gas at the same time. what exactly am i replacing? am i suppose to ask for the whole drive shaft to be replaced? alot of people said its cheaper to do that. i just wanted to confirm it.

 

Creaking is more characteristic of a power steering (PS) problem. Start by checking whether the PS pump belt is loose or the PS fluid is low.