Hi,

I have a bit of an issue with my wife's car (specifications in signature). There seems to be this noise like a popcorn popping sound coming from the front end of the car. I did some testing to try and figure it out.

The speed the car is traveling at does not affect the popping noise. Higher RPMs create a faster and louder noise. It is definitely coming from the front end. It is louder on the driver side than on the passenger side.

Thank you in advance for any help you can lend.

 

"kind of" sounds like the cv shaft(s). When turning does is happen as well?

I'd check the inner and outer cv boots for damage.

 

Turning has no effect on the noise. Straight line, turning it's all the same. Popping becomes noticable at 2k RPM and increases in loudness and speed as the RPMs rise. Completely independent of what the wheels are doing. Does not make noise in neutral. Consistent noise in every gear.

 

Again, to me still sounding like a cv joint issue. If you "hammer the gas" -stopping before speeding - does the same thing happen.