I have been chasing a popping noise in the front end of my 03 QC 4x4.

I just realized that the popping actually started after I replaced the ball joints.

The only issue I had replacing the joints was, being the first time I had ever replaced them on a Dodge, I ground the lip around the original joint too far down and when I put the new one in the snap ring is about 1/8 inch above the LCA. Could that joint move?

I could tack it in place in just a few minutes but I am not even sure that it is possible for it to move. What do the experts think?

Thanks in advance.

 

Why did you grind it down??

You may have changed the geometry of the joint or front end if its sitting lower or higher than it should

I don't know the 4X4 all to well but some ball joints are directional and need to be aligned in the socket correctly to work properly.

Check on that

 

I ground it down because every tutorial and video I saw including several here say that to press the lower ball joint out you have to grind the original lip off the ball joint.

And I believe that all the 4x4's have pressed in lower joints while the 2x4s are riveted.

The joint is still sitting exactly where it is supposed to be. It is pressed in from the bottom.

 

I highly doubt it would move. Check your upper ball joint. Mine popped when it went bad.

 

your steering shaft can pop too, I just replaced it in my 98 4x4 and now all is quiet, no more popping

 

The upper joint was replaced at the same time as the lower. I can find absolutely no play in the ball joints.

Yes I thought about this. I have attempted to move the shaft and had someone watch while I moved the wheel back and forth and found no popping or extra movement.

It is fairly random when the popping occurs. There are two pops in a row then usually nothing for a while. It is like something goes out of place then goes back. I have had it happen while running interstate, turning into the driveway/garage, traveling through a parking lot. I haven't found a common situation that creates the noise.

 

Look for other things popping you may be surprised at what you find.

I'm talking about look at the frame drive shafts everything

 

I'm doing the ball joints in my 93 Dakota and have a question about the lower one. I got the old one out but can't seem to get the rubber boot from the new one off. Apparently you have to be smarter then the rubber boot or whatever is holding it on. I even went as far as putting on my glasses. Any ideas? THANKS!!