2001 Grand Am making strange noise! Help!!!

[bonitalovely]

Hi! This is my first post. I have an 01 Grand Am Se 4 Dr. Whenever I turn the steering wheel, I hear a loud popping noise towards the front of the car. This doesn't happen when I'm just driving straight. Any ideas of what this could be? I've had someone tell me it's the tie rods and another person said cv joints, neither are mechanics. It gets even worse when I'm backing up lol. I'm taking it to get fixed in a couple of days. Should this be an expensive job? I always feel like I'm getting ripped off when I go to a mechanic. Any info and tips you have would be great, I really appreciate it!
Are chain auto centers like Sears and Pep Boys usually cheaper than independent garages? Thanks.

 

[melsg5]

Sounds like it could be a CV joint. Hourly shop rates are usually posted so you will have to shop around for who has the better rates. Figure a couple of hours of labor. The part itself can vary in price from about $70 to $125.

 

[Hamilton North]

Does it pop when turning both directions, or just one? Coasting or only when under power?

I agree, probably a bad CV joint.

 

[bonitalovely]

Yes, it pops when I turn both directions
Thanks a lot!

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[Hamilton North]

Yes, it pops when I turn both directions
Thanks a lot!

If it pops repeatedly hen under power when turning both directions (click-click-click or bang-bang-bang), then both CV joints are probably shot. Are the rubber boots torn? If water and sand gets in there they go bad real quick.

 

[bonitalovely]

well..its really more of a boing noise lol. One shop said that it's my struts or mounts or something. I really know nothing about cars besides I shouldn't have bought this one