Chasing a popping noise

[FlimFlam]

So a couple of days ago I had the stoke of luck to avoid an accident but instead I had to smack into a curb going about 20-ish mph. Now I'm stuck with a popping noise that only happens when I make turns that movie the steering wheel more than 90 degrees (I promise it's not the track bar) after it pops let's say after I turn right, the steering wheel is slightly tilted to the right and same thing happens for the left. Now the front end feels kinda loose and "floaty". I had a guy from a mechanic shop I frequent check it out for a minute and his quick guess is the steering box but wasn't sure unless he got it up on a lift to really check it out. I should also add that the "popping" noise is not continuous and is just one single pop that I can feel/hear from the front end. Please help!

 

[Tob]

Why do you rule out the track bar?

Try getting another person to steer back and forth while you watch the front end (drag link, tie rod, track bar, etc). If it’s noticeable while driving, I think it would be easy to find this way. Maybe something bent and now is contacting another something that it shouldn’t be contacting.

 

[AndyG]

Front axle u joint damage possibly.

 

[Don A.]

Sounds like a bad ball joint to me. When they go bad there’s a popping noise that comes from the ball moving in it’s socket when turning into parking spaces etc.

 

[fizzlebottom]

Best case: anything that has been listed above. Easy(ish) to replace ball joints, u-joints, trackbar, etc.
Worst case: Your frame has a crack. I only mention this because of another thread where someone was chasing some metal-on-metal popping noise and found a crack in the frame. It was repaired with a SafeTCap and the noise was resolved. I feel this would be unlikely and sure hope it isn't the issue.

 

[jjvw]

My first guess is the track bar, but you ruled that out.