Sounds can come from anywhere in your car as you are driving; most are engine related or toward the front of the vehicle. So, it may cause you some dismay if you ask, when I back up my car, makes a popping noise? A number of things can cause a loud popping noise from the rear of a car. It could be something as simple as a loose exhaust pipe or muffler, or it could be worse, like a differential or drivetrain problem.
Some other causes of a loud popping sound in car include wheel bearing failure, Worn or broken suspension components, wheel hop when speeding up or under braking, or faulty shock absorbers. Besides this, some clicking sound is only heard when driving forward or reversing in a straight line, and some only appear when you turn a corner. When you hear any unfamiliar noise, it’s best to stop and have it checked.
In our guide, you can learn more about issues that can cause these noises from the rear end of your car. By the end, you’ll know if it’s something you can fix or needs a mechanic’s attention. (Read Is A Camaro A Good First Car)
What Causes Rear End Popping Noises?
If your car is making a loud popping noise from the rear, one of the following possibilities could be to blame:
1. Worn Rear Bearing
In the back of your car, there are two bearings. The driveshaft has one, and the wheel bearing, which is on the axle, has another. The hose clamps may experience additional strain and make that popping sound if one of these bearings loses its tightness.
2. Prop Shaft
The propeller shaft may become stressed while driving in stop-and-go traffic, around bends, or even downhills, which will generate a popping sound.
3. Rear Diff
The rear differential is one of the most frequent locations where you’ll hear a popping sound. If you hear popping noises, this is the issue since the differential distributes the energy from your engine among your wheels.
4. Worn CV Joints
With vehicles that have more than 100,000 miles on them, this problem is typical. The CV joints will wear out and start to pop as you accelerate quickly or cross steep angles, which will cause you to experience popping sounds.
5. Bad Struts
If you have bad struts, it will put stress on the rear of your car when hitting bumps and encountering sharp corners. This causes the struts to compress, resulting in a popping sound.
6. Rear Pinion Seal
The pinion seal keeps all of the fluid inside the rear diff, so if there are issues, it can lead to severe damage to the vehicle, which shows as a popping noise.
7. Loose Hose Clamps
Your car’s hoses perform multiple functions, from cooling to supplying fluid to your brakes or even fuel to your engine.
However, if any hose clamps come loose, they can cause popping sounds as they rattle in spaces underneath the rear of your car, as well as a possible fuel leak.
8. Rear Brake Drum
Older cars frequently have rear drum brakes issues, which could cause you to lose control occasionally when you hit the rear brakes on your vehicle.
This drum could work loose and make a louder broken sound, so you would need to stop and get a mechanic to test and fix the vehicle issue.
9. Suspension Problems
If you have worn shocks, your car will bounce, or worse, it could rub on your tires when you hit a bump. This can cause a popping noise on one side if you only have one worn shock, and the body hits your tires as it sinks. (Read Why Does My Car Radio Keep Cutting Out)
10. Pinion Seal
This is yet another problem that some older cars frequently have. If you don’t fix it right away with a mechanic, fluids will eventually leak, which could lead to further issues with your car.
11. Bad Ball Joint
If your car made a loud pop noise, you’re not alone, as this is a common issue with older models of cars. If your ball joint wears, it causes the front end to become unlevel and causes these popping noises.
12. Bent Axles
This is a problem with some of the older car models, and if your axle becomes bent, it may prevent you from accelerating possibly or adequately lead you to lose control of your car.
13. Bushings
Luckily, it can be a quick vehicle check to see if you have a problem with your bushings.
- On the sway bar bushing, liberally apply penetrating oil.
- Allow absorbing (some minutes).
- Take a drive to an area where the sound is typically heard and check it out.
If your bushings are worn out, replacing them is not too difficult.
Can My Wheel Bearing Make A Popping Noise?
A popping sound coming from a wheel bearing can be common in older vehicles. In such models, these should be replaced every 80–100,000 miles.
You can usually tell if your vehicle is generating noise by listening to it. However, you may also perform a fast check by speeding your car and making sure it is accelerating correctly.
How much is a wheel bearing to fix?
Depending on the rear and model, repairing a car’s wheel bearing can cost different amounts.
Nevertheless, you should budget between $300 and $400. As you hear a popping noise during braking or when you begin to accelerate, your wheel bearing needs to be replaced.
How To Tell Bad CV Joint From Bad Wheel Bearings?
Usually, if your car’s front end makes a popping noise, it may have damaged CV joints. On the other hand, if this sound is coming from the back of your car, it’s possible that you have a bad wheel bearing.
Additionally, customers claim that CV joints and wheel bearings will make noises other than the popping noise. For instance, as you are turning, CV joints may generate a clicking noise. A damaged wheel bearing can produce an annoying roaring noise that gets louder as you go faster. (Read Are Anti Rattle Clips Necessary)
How To Know If CV joints Are Damaged?
Usually, the car starts shaking, which is the classic symptom you’ll notice in your vehicle. Additionally, if you begin to hear the popping or clicking noise stated above, this common problem is another indication that you have issues with your CV joints.
A damaged constant velocity (CV) joint is the most frequent reason for a clicking noise coming from your rear wheel while you’re driving. CV joints are located at either end of the axle and increase steering flexibility. A popping or clicking noise when rotating is the classic sign of a worn-out joint.
Drive the car backward while fully turning the steering wheel in one direction, then the other, to test the CV joints. You can hear several popping noises coming from what sounds like the vehicle’s rear at slow speeds of about 10 mph. (Read Are Anti Rattle Clips Necessary)
It typically pops three or four times before stopping and can be noisy. The vehicle noise can be heard by a mechanic when they perform a service, yet it is better to test the car at low speeds so they can find what’s wrong and what they need to replace.
