When I hit my brakes, there is a huge "pop" from the driver's side front tire. Harder I apply the brakes, the louder the "pop". Can't seem to find anything obvious wrong . Any ideas?

 

It could be a loose, or cracked, wheel.

When you apply the brakes, the wheel takes up the slack; and, when the slack runs out, it POPs.

Check the offending wheel (and the rest, if the one you think it is is okay) for lug-nut torque.

If the lugs are tight, then examine the wheel for cracks, especially in the bolt-circle area.

 

Good reasoning BK, and while you're up there, check to see the caliper isn't loose/sliding about. Any unusual noise in the front end of the truck gets me scared, especially a brake problem. 'Cuz I really don't care A: How good it looks, B: How well it runs, C: (and to a much lesser extent)How fast it goes...But I DO care a great deal D: HOW WELL IT STOPS!!!

 

Check: Wheel torque, suspension bushings, and ball joints too.

 

This is a true story.

My aunt had a big old car, way back in the sixties.

She had it in and out of the garage, dozens of times, trying to find a noise.

It turned out to be a returnable glass soft-drink bottle, under the rear seat.

 

one of my teachers had a woman come into the dealership he used to work at with the same problem when she turned it made this weird thump noise inside the car, she couldnt figure out what it was, and he looked around in the interior it was a ummm, toy under the front seat LOLOL. she was really embarassed.

 

I replaced a set of front wheel bearings for a friend cause they were making a squeaking noise at low speed. The new bearings didn't help. Taking the hubcaps off did.

Edwin

 

one of my ag teachers way back in high school days came out at nite to help catch fryer chickens with the rest of the class and couple of kids put a chicken or two in the back of his station wagon said he couldn't figure out what the noise was when he stopped and kept looking around until the next morning when he found the chickens roosting on his seat doing what they do best. sorry . if its 4x4 turn in the hubs jack up all four tires and use secure jack stands and put in gear and step on brake.

 

There is a possibility it is a plastic caliper piston binding up etc. Steel is a better choice if you can find them. I would not wait, find the problem before it finds you.

 

It could be lots of things. Do the braking while turning a corner, both left and right and see what happens to the noise.

 

Now, if that ain't country, ..............

 

I agree with the suspension bushings and ball joints and tie rod ends, Mine will do something similar when i forget to keep up with the greasing schedual!
Greas everything you can, and see if it makes a differance,, If it turns into a dull thud, Then it is something you just greased!

 

There is a spring plate that goes in the bottom slide of the caliper. If it gets weak or broken the caliper will be able to move just a smidge away from the upper slide. When you hit the brakes it moves upward and hits the slide.

Andy