Hi all-

Tonight I pulled into my driveway, and something in the right front of my car ('97 Civic HX) popped, and then popped again when I braked just a second later. It sounded and felt almost like a spring settling, or popping back into place almost, but I still have stock springs, and the car didn't really drop or anything. What could it be? The other side did the same thing once when I was turning a fairly quick corner. Any ideas? I need to drive to Seattle this weekend (~5 hour drive), so I need my car...is it okay to drive?

 

Im guessing a broken CV boot.

 

Sorry for the dumb question, but is that something I need to take care of before going on a long trip? What causes that and what can happen if not fixed immediately?

 

its just wear and tear, these happen a lot. ask laurelthequeen about it, i beleive she drove on a broken on on her rex for quite some time.

 

you should replace your CV boot if it is cracked asap

easy to check dude. if you know its from the front right go take the wheel off and see if anythign is amiss... a broken CV boot will start to spray thick grease EVERYWEHRE.

its the rubber boot that covers the joint (forget the correct term).... imagine if all the greasy fell out..... no lubricant AND grease all over your rim..... bad scene esp if you're going on aroad trip.

i wouldn't imagint it POPing tho...

 

i just had my outer cv's replaced cuz they were dryrotting but i heard a pinging sound when i took of.. just one or 2.. kinda like a metal on metal sound...

 

Maybe your brake pads are worn out. I heard a pop/screeching sound when i backed out of my driveway and it freaked me out but it turned out to just be my brake pads....strange cause i thought the squeelers on the pads would make more of a scratching sound but oh well

 

I haven't heard any metal on metal sounds...it just sounded kinda like a spring snapping back into place or something...like a pop with a tiny echo sounding thing. It's really hard to explain, but it's happened on both sides in the front, at two different times...and its been the exact same thing: a fairly quick turn and brake. Any new ideas?

BTW...thanks for everyone's help so far...I'll check it out a little later.