I replaced my right front upper control arm with a new OEM style one from Napa. After installing it I noticed that I get a loud pop sound from the right front of the car sometimes when I go over bumps. At first I thought it was because I did not torque the bushing bolts properly. I initially preloaded the suspension and tightened the bushing bolts the best I could with a wrench.

Well, I pulled the arm and looked. By preloading the suspension I got the marks lined up dead nuts on. I torqed the bolts and realized that I was also damn close when I tightened with a wrench. The pop still occurs. Keep in mind this never happened until I replaced the UCA, even with the bushings shot in the old one. All I removed was the bolts that connect the UCA to the chassis and the ball joint. I took a quick peek around and everything else looks fine.

Could this be from a defective balljoint on my control arm?? I got my first pop as soon as I pulled it out of the driveway. LEt me know what else to check. CV axles are pretty new, tie rod ends, lower ball joint, and LCA bushings are good. no play in the steering wheel so I think the rack is fine. I also forgot to mention that it happens when I am going straight...not just turning.

 

If im talking about the same popping you are i would check the top mount of your struts. Happened to me, but i guess it wasn't really a 'pop' but just more of a 'thud' Take a look. I know it has nothing to do with your upper control arm. but your in that general area so who knows. GL

 

I'll double check the top hats as well as the crossmember, mounts, etc. It is a loud, sharp sound like something is binding. I'm going to put the old uca in and drive it around the block to see what happens.

 

I just noticed the front motor mount is cracked and the left motor mount is missing a bolt. The sway bar end links are worn, but I don't think that they could make such a loud pop. I will replace all that and have a replacement uca in by Tuesday.

 

Last UCA I replaced was rubbing against the side of the strut tower when pushed up look for rub marks.

 

You know what? I think I saw a rub mark. I just assumed I did it during installation. What did you do to fix that?

 

It was on a lowered CRX but all I did was remove UCA and did a bit of careful grinding on the part that was rubbing,I just put it down to aftermarket parts I can't swear but I think it came from Napa.

 

I reinstalled the UCA and checked. No rubbing. I will pick up the replacement tomorrow along with new endlinks and a front motor mount. We'll see if it pops after that.