I looked at the other thread titled steering rack popping but it seems mine is a little different. Car is 96 Civic LX 4dr automatic 158,000 miles. Power steering. When braking and accelerating I can hear a pop sound from the driver side suspension. Sometimes when turning I hear the same noise. I know the axle is in poor shape. Out tie rods are new, upper and lower ball joints are new. Bearings are original. Driver side axle is original.

The tie rod end boot is ripped. I cant replicate the sound when the car is in the air. With the car on the ground I can turn the steering wheel and hear the pop. I can wiggle on the wheel and tire and feel a slight movement horizontally. The steering feels loose over rough roads and bumps.

Im thinking either rack end bushing, inner tie rods or the rack itself need to be changed?

 

power racks dont have a "rack end bushing". they have a bunch of bushings. i dont think its the rack, or not likely.

how can you say the outer tie rod is new when the boot is ripped? thats your likely culprit. where did you get the "new" tie rod end?

also try to readjust the pinion at the gearbox.

 

I meant to say inner tie rod boot. The outer ones are new OEM honda. I'll check the pinion.

 

Your inner tie rod could be bad then. Actually very likely if the boot is torn. You just need to shake around and determine exactly where the play is coming from. Have a friend help you and turn the wheel whgile you resist and feel around.

 

I have a 2002 honda civic LX, and have the same problem. Poping at times brake and exceleration, turning. What is needed to fix it? I think it is the result of a colision from piror owner.