I have a 2000 Crown Vic with 65K miles. When making a hard turn in either direction and traveling over a bump, I get a loud ripping or popping sound out of the front end. This happens quite often when turning in and out of inclined driveways and in similar situations. The noise is very similar to the sound of a nut being turned off of a badly rusted bolt. Under normal driving conditions, this problem does not occur. I had a '98 that did the same thing, and I drove another 2000 that did the same thing. I changed all 4 ball joints and the tie rod ends on the '98 without curing the problem. Any ideas?

 

It is the steering stops, where the knuckle touches the lower control arm when turned all the way in either direction. You can try putting a little grease on the piont where they touch and see if it helps. Can't remember off hand if it is the back side or front side of the lower arm but you should be able to find it easily.

 

Thanks for mentioning the steering stops - I forgot. I had greased these on the '98 and still had the noise. I try never to turn the wheel all the way when turning to make sure I'm not on the stops (and so I don't stress the power steering pump).

 

Ford put out a TSB on Nov 1 1998 on this problem
Service Bulletin 292578