a 'bang' or 'pop' when changing direction, turning...

[hednupnorth]

About a week and a half ago, I replaced all my brake pads on my '97 AWD Explorer (5.0). A few days later, I noted a 'pop' or 'bang' in the front end (at least that's where it sounds like it's coming from...driver side, maybe?) after I backed up and intially start moving forward. After that, I don't have the sound. THis has been happening consistantly when I change direction. I noted yesterday and this am that I get that same 'pop' or 'bang' consistantly if I turn sharply ('pop, pop, pop, pop'). As soon as I straigthen out, it goes away. I pulled all the tires off on Wednesday as my first assumption is that one of the calipers might be loose, or a pad was not seated correctly, etc., but really didn't find anything. I'd like to think it has something to do with something I worked on, when replacing the pads, because I didn't have this problem before I replaced the brake pads. I also thought it might be something with my front drive shaft. What about the rotor not sitting correctly on the shaft? I am planning on poking around with it today, so just would like some feedback from you guys. Thanks for your input!

 

[GJarrett]

Your CV is about to go out.

If you did something to move the front driveshaft out of line or something else, that might do it, but I cannot imagine how you could have done that: so I suspect it's just coincidence.

The pop and bang you hear is the CV binding and letting go when you stress it at full turn and/or full droop and compression when it is angled at the max it can take.

 

[hednupnorth]

....I thought that (CV Joint), but I replaced it about a year ago (forgot to mention that)..at least the one on the driver side.

 

[GJarrett]

Then check the other side. According to your post you experience a loud pop/bang when at full turn that goes away when you straighten the wheel. That symptom points directly to what has to be a CV problem and I cannot think of anything else that would produce the exact same symptom. If I'm wrong I assume someone else will chime in and correct my diagnosis, but CV is the very first thing I'd look at.