Pontiac Optima Clicking or popping sound is coming from wheels Inspection at your home or office.

Common reasons for this to happen:

There are a lot of different problems that can result in a clicking or popping sound coming from the wheels. These are some of the primary ones:

• Damaged CV joint: The most common cause of a clicking or popping sound from the wheels is a broken CV joint. The CV joints, which stand for Constant Velocity, are essentially the wrists of your vehicle’s steering system. The joints lay at the end of the front axle, and allow the axle the flexibility it needs as the wheels and suspension move. When a CV joint becomes damaged, the axle loses its flexibility, and will make a constant clicking noise when the wheels are turned.

• Bad struts: Your struts are an important part of your suspension system. Struts are shock absorbers with spring coils, and they help the suspension absorb the impact of the road, so that the frame and cabin of the car do not. Struts rely on a cylinder filled with liquid or gas, and a piston. The liquid or gas provides resistance against the piston, which absorbs a large amount of shock from the road. A spring coil furthers this shock absorption. When the struts are damaged or stuck, the suspension is unable to absorb most of the road’s impact. Not only is this harmful to your car, but it will usually result in a strange noise coming from the wheels.

• Loose hubcaps: When the lug nuts on your hubcaps become loose, the hubcaps will have wiggle room, and will shake when you drive your car at high speeds, or when you make turns. This shaking creates a rattling noise that you’ll usually hear from inside the cabin of your vehicle.

• Loose drive belt or drive belt tensioner: The drive belt connects your alternator, air conditioning, and power steering to the crankshaft, which sends power to these components. The drive belt tensioner keeps the drive belt taut, so that it efficiently does its job. If either of these becomes loose, the drive belt will tap against the car and make a loud noise, which will sound like it’s coming from the wheels.

• Tires are inflated or shaped irregularly: If your four tires are not very similar in size, shape, and inflation, your wheels may make bizarre noises while you’re driving. Make sure that your tires are always the correct specs and inflated to the right pressure. And replace tires if they develop any irregular wear and tear, or any bulges.