Check the lower control arms. I'd bet the lugs on the tires are hitting the lower arms.

What back spacing on the rims?

 

does it feel like something is pulling it back before it pops?

 

The tires do not rub when i turn sharp, the noise is comming when i move the steering wheel about 3 inches either way back and forth, it only pops when im sitting still, not when rolling.

 

nope, it actually feels kinda loose,

 

yea. when you said not rolling it made my theory go down the tube.

 

Here is an interesting possibility, I had a nasty pop in the front end while turning either direction sitting still and when backing up while turning. I was ready to replace the ball joints since everything else seemed ok. Last weekend while wheelling, one of the front sway bar bushing came out of the clamp, guess what.... when I his the road again all of the popping and alot of my vibrations are now gone. Just for kicks, unhook the sway bar and see if your popping goes away.:2thumbsup:

 

If it is a single pop per turn, check the torque on the trac-bar bolts, and make sure the bushing on the axle side is in good condition.

 

Tighten the bolts mounting the track bar bracket on to the driver side frame rail even if they appear tight.

 

I'd also check the steering box mount and the steering box bolts and make sure the mount isn't cracked or the bolts loose or broken.

 

I have the same thing happening on my 97. I took it over to "just jeeps" here in Austin, and they told me the ujoint at the wheel was making the poping sound. Still does it being i have not fixed it yet. Ive got bigger fish to fry right now.

 

I was told the popping noise was a cracked universal joint, which I have bought but are still sitting in the box it came in and I still get an occasional pop.

 

I had the same sound comming from my 04 TJ, i know this is an XJ problem so i hope ya'll dont mind. Anyways, for me, I had the same popping noise when turning. It turned out to be the trackbar. The hole for the bolt for the trackbar was elongated. You can have someone watch the bolt and see if it moves left/right when turning. Know matter how tight i tightened, the bolt still would move when turning. Hope this helps...

 

I bet you anything it is the tracbar!

 

Yep. Tracbar bolt on the axle side. try tightening it down, but it might be ovalized like mine was.

 

i also have the same problem on my '00 xj. ive checked almost everything and i leaning towards my trackbar. i have a rc adjustable trackbar, and when my brother turns the wheel left to right, i can feel the "pop or clunk" on the trackbar when i hold it.

i am ordering a drop bracket style from kevins off road and i hope that solves the problem. if not, im going to upgrade the steering box along with a kevins off road steering upgrade. good luck!

 

i too am having the same issue, but only when in 4wd.

its the ujoints, but im to damn lazy, and have another truck to drive.