# Steering question

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** suspension, chevrolet, cavalier, steering\
**Created:** [November 1, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912 "2009-11-01T17:38:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![clayman007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee59a6/32.png) [@clayman007](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clayman007)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/1 "2009-11-01T17:38:33Z")

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I just noticed this issue with my car yesterday. I have a 98 cavalier w/ ~185k miles. When making hard turns at low speeds (parking lot situations) I both hear a popping sound from the left front wheel and feel the sensation as if driving over a 2x4. What is most likely the cause, and how hard is it to fix?  
  
  
  
 Thank you

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**Author:** ![clayman007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee59a6/32.png) [@clayman007](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clayman007)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/2 "2009-11-01T17:41:58Z")

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I suppose this could also be related to the suspension.

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/3 "2009-11-01T18:56:04Z")

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You Could Have A Bad Strut Mount Bearing / Spring Seat. You Can Eventually Break The Spring If It’s Not Fixed. That Could Blow A Tire. That Can Cause A Crash.

The strut / spring would have to be removed and the mount / bearing replaced and an alignment done.

This is just one possible scenerio. There are others. I’d have it checked by a professional. Maybe they will prove this guess wrong and tell you what’s causing this.

CSA

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**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/4 "2009-11-01T21:34:00Z")

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CV joints are quite durable on these cars but they are worth considering too.

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/5 "2009-11-02T01:18:37Z")

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Will It Do It When You Are Stopped And Turning The Wheels? If Not Then Wha Who?'s Assessment Of CV Joints Is Probably The Best One So Far.

CSA

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**Author:** ![clayman007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee59a6/32.png) [@clayman007](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clayman007)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/steering-question/38912/6 "2009-11-04T00:20:51Z")

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So I replaced the axle on the side from which I heard the noise coming, the left side. Nothing changed. Loud popping, crunching on sharp turns in both forward and reverse. I’m pretty sure there’s a problem with the differential, and now I commence drinking.