A problem that I've been noticing more lately is that when I come to a dead stop or turn the wheel at really low speeds,I hear this cracking noise coming from the front end of the car. I've read a few threads about CV joints, but I'm not sure that's the problem. I wouldn't think that the CV joints would make any noise when going straight, but that's just my thought. Any suggestions??

 

Anyone??

 

Now does the noise happen when turnin both ways or just one way?
Plus our CV joints only really make noise when the cv boots are torn and lost all of thier grease so check under the car for a torn cv boot.

 

It seems like it makes the noise when turning the wheel either way. It also seems to be worse after being driven for a while, and even more so when going in reverse and turning the wheel.

 

You're gonna have to rack the car and run it while turning the wheel back and forth to pinpoint the noise.

 

Well, the shop we go to is gonna look at it tomorrow, and I don't know what to expect...seems like it's probably gonna cost me some $$$, thought. [:@]

 

Just found out that it's the tie rods. I guess they're a little worn, but not to the point where I have to worry about them or replace them yet. They told me that when Ido replace them, it'll be about $250 for parts and labor - does this sound about right??

 

you can buy tie-rod ends for $50. if their gone, their gone. if one of them snaps while your driving you can kiss goodbye to your car.
it takes no more then 10mins to replace a tie-rod end.
make sure you count how many threads their are to the nut before putting the new one on. if your lucky and close on the threads you might get away without having to do a wheel alignment, but if the car starts to pull then you will need one doing becuase the nut is too far out.
make sure (if you replace them yourself) that the steering wheel is centre!!
they are very easy to replace.
$250 is a rip-off.
an alignment is around $100.