popping in the front end

[mirage_brat]

Im having an issue with a loud popping sound coming from the front of my 77 monza driverside. I thought it was my lower shock mount but those are tight. not sure if its my ball joints or control arm bushings... it pops every time i hit a bump.

[hammerdown7]

It could also be the sway bar connecting bolts. The rubber bushings sometimes split and fall off. A visual check would eliminate those.

Dick

[mirage_brat]

The car didnt come with a sway so my dad and i put one on there from a different monza from the same year with new sway bar links.

[cjbiagi]

I am not sure what the popping is but it could be something simple or something serious. Does it do it when you bounce the car up and down? Could be anything from a loose bolt to a bad ball joint. You may need to get it jacked up and have someone bounce the car and start investigating. You don't want something to break on the road....

[mirage_brat]

Yes it pops when I bounce it up and down.

[hammerdown7]

Have you jacked it up and tried to move the wheel by grabbing it top and bottom and rocking it? Sounds like it could be a ball joint. I hope you're not driving it.

Dick

[cjbiagi]

Ok, since it pops when you bounce it, it should be easy to get under there while someone is bouncing it and start listening and feeling where the noise is coming from. put you hand on the balljoints, shock absorber, control arm etc and see if you can feel it.

[mirage_brat]

Is there anyway i can get ball joints and control arm bushings for it and where can i get them?

[Monza Harry]

MB Try "PST" and maybe "Polycarbonate?" Energy suspension still carries the Urethane bushings for Vega/Monza, rubber will be tougher but not impossible! I'll throw up a link for you Harry http://catalog.p-s-t.com/index.php?c=Sg ... figID=1336 I hope they can help. I have used them for my tie rod adjusting sleeves and that transaction went smooth as silk! http://energysuspension.com/index.html I have these (not installed yet) ant they are pieces of beauty!

[vegastre]

Yes it pops when I bounce it up and down.

Beentherdonethat,
IMHO, if not a badly worn bushing then Its a inner or outer Balljoint. You don't need to bounce the car. Just try wiggling the balljoints and you should find the bad one. It will feel loose with a lot of slop and play.

[mirage_brat]

ok so i ordered a kit online and got everything replaced. my dad and i hit a snag we cant get the springs to seat in the control arms. is there any special spring compressor to get the job done? if so what is the model number on the spring compressor

[crawfw]

I used a one of these. I believe it's for struts but works well. Have to remove the catch arms and go down through the top shock mount hole. Then screw on the bottom catch arms only. I had to ream out the top shock hole slightly for the tool to go through. Good luck and be safe. I was too nervous to remove them without this tool. Lol

[cjbiagi]

You have to have the springs indexed properly for them to seat. There is a small hole on the bottom of the control arm, the end of the spring should be aligned with this hole if I remember correctly.

[hammerdown7]

The top of the spring also has to be in the correct position. Check to see if the rubber isolater is stuck in the upper pocket, it's easier to place the isolater on the top of the spring. Make sure the upper end is clocked correctly.

Dick

[mirage_brat]

I used a one of these. I believe it's for struts but works well. Have to remove the catch arms and go down through the top shock mount hole. Then screw on the bottom catch arms only. I had to ream out the top shock hole slightly for the tool to go through. Good luck and be safe. I was too nervous to remove them without this tool. Lol

Did you have the lower control arm on or off the body when you did this?