I have a 1994 Ford Lightning pick up. Almost since new it has a popping sound in the front end turn both way?

Question

one upper ball joint was replaced but wasn't really that bad.

Answer 1

Try this. Seen this too many times. Loosen the bolts to the transmission cross member top and lower bolts and the tranny nuts on cross member, JUST LOOSEN. start engine on level ground and turn wheel lock to lock a few times. Tighten lower cross member bolts at frame 1st, then top bolts pushing the brackets up against the fram as you tighten them, then the tranny nuts. I know the noise sounds from the front and the 2 metals creeping like they are will make it sound in the front. Ford had a message yrs ago about this. There is also a message about the hulk rivet on the front drivers side forward cross member about cutting it off and installing a heavy duty bolt. Do the tranny thing first, 9 out of 10 times will fix it.

Answer 2

more than likely its the lower ball joints. Ford hard a bad problem with this on the 1/2 ton p/u's and sport ute's. there isn't a grease fittings available to grease them, but you should be able to find at your local parts store or tool dealer a grease needle that fits into your standard grease gun. take the needle and insert into the ball joint boot and inject the grease and go drive to work the grease into the joints. I have had good luck doing this, but it doesn't work all the time depending on how long this has been going on if there is excessive wear in the joint. good luck

Answer 3

It sounds like the same problem I have been having with my personnel car and I was told that it was the U-joints in the 4 by 4 so you may what to check that.

Answer 4

There was a service bulletin out to correct the noise. It comes from the front crossmember rivits. The bulletin instructs you to remove the rivits and replace with case hardened bolts. We have corrected the condition with mig welding the front crossmember in place to eliminate the noise.