Pop Noise Heard In Front Suspension When Turning - keywords bearing coil mount plate spring strut

This PI was superseded to update model years. Please discard PIC4873.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

A customer may comment of one or more pop noises heard from the front of the vehicle when turning the steering wheel left or right. This may occur when the vehicle is stationary or while driving.

The technician should inspect the front strut mounts and the front coil springs for witness marks that may indicate a cause for this noise.

1. Inspect the front coil spring for witness marks that could indicate the end of the coil is contacting the coil below it. If witness marks indicate coil to coil contact has occurred, replace the coil spring. If possible, take photos of the witness marks and submit a Field Product Report.

Note: Please use caution when removing the strut bearing from the strut mount. Incorrect removal could cause the bearing halves to separate. Current SI procedures indicate the strut assembly support bearing is sealed for life.

2. Remove the strut bearing from the strut mount and inspect the bearing for any marks. A dark streak on the strut bearing upper half (yellow in color) could indicate the bearing is slipping inside the strut mount. If a dark streak/mark is found on the strut bearing yellow surface, that bearing should be replaced. If replacement is necessary, the bearing must be replaced as an assembly.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.