I'm not too sure what happened but one night, I ran over a bunch of waste from a wine factory. Smelled like berries.

Anyways, ever since then when I take off, it sounds like an axle problem. A take-off from a stop has a slight pop sound. I was thinking of clutch but it sounded more like from the wheels.

 

I have the same issue man. I didnt run anything over though. When I accelerate or shift I hear a popping noise which sounds like its coming from the front pass tire. I checked my axles and they do make a "loose metal" sound when I pull my wheel forward and back but whats interesting is this popping sound doesnt happen all the time so idk if it is the axles. Does yours make that sound all the time or just every once and awhile?

 

does it happen when you are turning also?

 

I had that problem... i would hit the brakes hard and get a popping... or if i accel hard... turned out my lower control arm bushings were shot... and the control arm itself was just tapping the frame... i need almost every bushing replaced in the front end... they are all SHOT

 

Is it more of a "tick" sound? I get that occasionally, too. Haven't checked the bushings, but i had this problem in my s2000 and it was the axle nut not being tight enough. Im going to take it off, slightly lube the underside and torque it down to see if that alleviates the problem. It did in my s2000.

 

I was hoping it's not a bushing problem. The car has been abused in the hills quite often.

It sounded like something hitting the tires. I haven't checked anything yet. I'll check the brakes, torque specs on the lug nuts and axle nuts. And hopefully it's not bushings.

 

Sounds similar to my problem, still trying to figure it out but its coming from the driver side.

 

Problem Solved!!!

Even though the car is a virgin, the bolts eventually come loose. I ripped apart the tires and took a look. I thought it could be a blown shock or loose part hitting the rim but nothing. Everything seemed to be intact.

Except the axle connecting to the hub. There was about 1-2mm of freeplay on it. After releasing the groove on the axle nut, removed the nut and re-lubericate it. Then I tightened it about 1/5 turn further than the factory groove. Re-hammered a new groove onto the nut and all fixed. No more popping sound.

The problem with the pop is that when the car is completely stopped, the axles are pushed against the hub. When i take off, the axle pulls the nut against the hub bearing--causing the pop sound. It was due to the car initially lifting upwards.