Hi everyone.

I currently have an issue with the front driver's side braking. Every time I back out and stop, a popping or something shifting type sound happens. If I pull forward and stop in the same manner right after backing out, the same sound happens.
One shop told me it was my brake pads or the clips that hold them which proved to be false because those were all replaced and lubricated. Didn't solve the sound issue.
Another place told me there is play in my outer tie rod which I have yet to replace, but for some reason I doubt that's the issue.
I am not sure what else could be causing the sound. Any suggestions for what could be happening? Thank you in advance.

PS. The sound is more of an irritant then an actually issue; however, I do not want it to lead to anything worse.

 

Could be your axles. This is a hard item to diagnose as there are many different items that can create a sound like this. If your brakes are serviced and look good I’d not worry about them. If the pads are thin you could have a sticking piston in the caliper.

More than likely you need to focus your diagnosis on your Axle’s, CV joints and Tie Rod ends. Does the sound come from one side or the other? Does it come from the transmission. Does it sound like a metal on metal clunk.. Can you hear clicking when turning left or right? Might have to have someone drive your car in a circle around you to figure that one out. These are all things that can help us help you.

I know that my transmission makes a clunk when backing out and then going to drive. Sounds like someone gently hitting my transmission with a ratchet. I don’t like this sound but my other trans did it too.. So I guess its normalish

 

Well that's a bit nerve wrecking if it's something serious...
The pads are brand new, calipers and brake lines are fairly new so I doubt it's any of those parts.

The sound is strictly from the driver's front side. It sounds like something shifts from one end to another. One of the things is that if I back out and stop, the sound is there. If I back out again and stop, there is no sound.. There is no clicking or anything during turning in either direction. Are there any tests I could possibly do to rule some parts/areas out?

I will take a close listen today on my long commute into Boston. I'll post any new discoveries of this random sound.

 

Put the car on a lift or jack stands and get under it. Check the CV boot (where the axle goes into the wheel) for breaks or cracks (squeeze it and see what it looks like). Do the same for the rubber boots on the lower and upper control arms. CV Boots that are broken could potentially point to the problem directly. Boots on the control arms are less likely to cause immediate problems but can over time as the grease oozes out and the joints start to wear.

Also while it is up check the play in the wheel. Stand on the outside of the car facing the wheel, place your left hand at the 9 o’clock position and your right at the 3 o’clock position. Try to move the wheel back left and right (as if you were trying to turn the wheel by hand and not the steering wheel). If it moves back and forth a degree or so without moving the other wheel or the steering wheel your tie rods could be the problem. Then try to rotate the tire, if you can rotate it more than 5 degrees before the diff catches it and spins the other wheel you could have worn CV’s.

While it is up check all bolts and connections. If you notice anything that looks wrong then it probably is. After you lower your car check the top of the strut mount towers (inside the engine bay) ensure that the bolts are on and torqued.

 

I will definitely do those tests for the CV Boots and tie rods this weekend along with all the bolts and connections. Thanks for your help, I will keep you posted after I take a look at everything.

 

So the fix to this popping noise was super simple; it is funny yet sad.

So after some really close observing of where the sound was coming from, I was 99.9% sure that it was something with the brakes and not any other joints or steering parts.

Long story short, the 4 bolts that are SUPPOSED to be tightened down to the rotor were not tightened down at all which resulted in a whole lot of play in the braking. After torquing down all 4 bolts, the popping sound magically disappeared.

Lesson learned - look at ALL the simple stuff first...

Thanks for your help Silver6Gen

 

glad you got it squared. Our Cars are simple (for the most part) and approaching the problem from a simple angle keeps solving it easy.

 

Lesson learned. Thank you again for your help.

Cheers