My mom has a 1997 Dodge Stratus and she noticed a strange noise today and thought something may be loose inside the car or trunk and rolling around making the noise. I took it for a test drive and it seems the noise is a random "popping" coming from the front end. If I had to narrow it down I'd say the driver side. I took it for a couple of test drives around the country block and it didn't seem to make the noise at any particular speed or condition, just random (so long as it was in moving). I noticed it slowly pulling out of the driveway once, so I backed up and I maneuvered it in the driveway - forward and backwards, left and right - but didn't make the noise again. I even had her get in and roll it forward and backward in the drive but no noise. But it's definitely making random popping noises in the front while driving.

Thoughts or suggestions anyone? Strut? Ball joint? Etc.? Thanks in advance.

 

Sounds like tie rod or ball joint. Had a car before that popped only when turning left on drivers side. Try going in a empty parking lot and slowly go in circles. Sounds like tie rod though.