Can anyone give me an idea what may be causing a popping sound when I start to back up or turn my wheels? Is there a U-joint? I have a 2000 Durango. It is getting worse day by day, any ideas?

 

Sounds like Upper Ball Joints to me.

 

ok well how would you know if they are bad? My husband said he looked at them and it didn't look bad! LOL

 

I don't know about the dodge, but when the bushings around the joints on my s10 went out you could jack it up and move the wheel from side to side. That may not be the way to tell, but try it and if it moves than you definately know that's where your problem is.

Ang

 

Well the Upper Ball Joint are crap on these trucks/suv, I have read the if you jack the truck up and if the tire can be moved to and from you when you are facing the tire they are bad. If you do a search in the 2nd gen dakota section you will find alot of good info (since it is the same but the bodies are different).

The Ball Joints are the most common but there are serville other possible couses, you should get it check out to be on the safe side, It may be tie rod ends also but i do not know much about them. Any problem with stearing or suspention could be bad.

 

Yes you jack up one side at a time and wiggle up and down, side to side, and diagonalall while hugging the tire tight and feel for movement. You can always take tire off and get a medal bar and try to move upper and lower aroung to see movement.

Also there was a recall on the upper ball joints of 2000 and up upper ball joints.click on the sticky on the main Durango 1st generation upper page for recall info.

 

We have a 2000 Durango as well. Ithas been making the popping noise since new. I took it in to the dealership for the upper ball joint recall replacement and it is still popping. Now I don't know if it is a poor ball joint design or something else is making the popping noise. In your case, go ahead and take it in for the recall, costs nothing.After a certain mileage and so many years they will not do this, so doit asap.