Popping in the front end....

[Machismo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq53IHMwG8E
Anyone ever experienced popping in the front end somwhere and been able to diagnose what it is?
We have checked all subframe bolts, ball joints, control arm bolts, adjusting bolts for the camber, and sway bar mounts.......
Been doing it for the last few events and have no direction where to start first.

[MX5Bob]

Is the anything in the front suspension binding? It doesn't sound like my swaybar's clunk.

[rmcelwee]

I didn't get to listen to the video but I can tell you that I have seen a loose mounting bolt on a front shock give weird popping noises.

[Machismo]

I will check for loose mounting bolts on the shock perches.  Still a mystery, but it doesn't do it with the street tires.  They say you are a true racer when stuff falls off your car and you only worry about how much weight you just lost.  HA!  Thanks for the direction guys.   

[Machismo]

12-31-07    Just updating my findings on the mystery in the front end...  I have had several people look and drive the car, and all report different possibilities and solutions.  The easiest I was told, was to loosen the end links a bit.  I uninstalled the front sway bar and end links and reinstalled after a thorough cleaning and re-greasing of the bushings.  Went for a test drive, and noise seems to have stopped.  Still haven't got a chance to really wail on it yet, but I am still suspecting the control arms may be needing some R&R.  So for now, seems OK.
Odd that end links will sound like Thor pounding your ride like that..... 

[rmcelwee]

Strange. Well, at least you fixed the noise. I had some very irritating squeaks coming from the rear end of our blue Miata. It ended up being a need for some lube on the rear sway bushings. I am so glad it wasn't an expensive suspension or shock fix.

[Machismo]

Another update for you guys.....
Installed some Tein Flexes recently, and low and behold, the popping was back.
Now also from the rear.  Go figure.  Uninstalled sways and endlinks, again....lubed and reinstalled.  Problem sound gone, but only temporary.  I am now ordering some Heim jointed end links to get rid of the horrid binding issue that I have been plagued with for quite some time now.   

[MX5Bob]

The binding is almost certainly involved with the sound.