When I turn the wheel all the way to the left it makes a popping sound. it does it once or twice before I turn it all the way, and it does it again when turning back to straight. there is no noise when turning right. Any ideas what this could be?

I have a 2000 xj with a 2" bb and stock size tires

 

I would assume its your axle u joints... I just had the same thing going on with my 2000. And since it only happens when you turn left but not right, I would say only one is broken, but I would change them both anyways

 

Have a look at your TRE's also.

 

Not just the steering tie rod ends, check the trac bar s tie rod end as well. You'll see it by the drivers side wheel.

 

Thanks, i am going to check everything when i get home from work today

 

+1 on the frame side of the track bar (the tie rod end). Just got done fixing this problem.

 

Its the u joint, i should be replacing it tomorrow

 

And it does it when your not moving? Odd.

 

I had this problem for three reasons.

1) The bolts attaching my trackbar frame bracket to the driver's side frame rail were loose.

2) The flimsy pot metal spacer between the steering gear (steering box) and driver's side frame rail had crumbled away allowing the steering gear to shift slightly at full lock turns. I fixed it with a $35 fabricated spacer and new bolts from JCR Offroad (highly recommended).

3) The ball joint on the frame side of my trackbar (which was brand new) would bind up and pop near full lock. This was the hardest thing to diagnose because I assumed the part was good. It's behavior exactly fits the symptoms you are describing. To identify it, I put the Jeep up on a friend's drive-on lift and had him turn the wheel while I stood underneath and observed. A two post lift didn't help because the tires needed to be loaded for the popping to occur.

Check those three areas and you might find something. Good luck!