I have a 2005 grand vitara that when you are parked with the wheels turned and go to straiten the steering out it makes a popping noise. Anyone have any ideas what would cause this 

You're still under warranty, aren't you?

I really don't know if it's under warranty or not because I bought the zuki as a rebuilder.

No idea... sounds like something that should move isn't... get the bushings, etc.. all looked at for sure. Have you hit anything that might have bent a moving part?

I haven't hit anything my self but it very well could of happened when it was in it's originaly wrecked through a barbed wire fence. maybe it could of bent one of the steering arms?

Is it perhaps the tire tread scrubbing on the ground?

No it's not scrubbing the ground. It make the noise most of the time when you go to back out of the driveway and straighten the wheels before backing out. It make one or two pops and then is fine when driving.

You may need to get someone underneath there as it occurs.

When I had my lift kit fitted the shop left some of the nuts and bolts on the strut tops and the wishbones loose, which resulted in popping and clunking noises. Going over all the nuts and bolts could reveal the problem.

A dry and/or worn ball joint could also be causing the noise.

I may be grasping at straws here... but this only comes to mind since I have recently installed larger tires on my GV. Are you by any chance running tires that are too big for the wheel wells, and so they're rubbing? Figured I'd throw that in there.. just in case it was possible. haha.

Hope you get things figured out. You'll definitely need to get someone up front to watch/listen while this happens I would say.

-Glenn

Sounds like a worn out rod end on the rack & pinion steering.  I've replaced a few already on my 2000 GV.

I took it to the local suzuki dealership today. They thought that both front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. Does that sound possible with only 34,000 miles on it. Also how hard are the bearings to replace. The shop wanted $873 to replace them

The bearings aren't that hard to replace. Are they a hub assm on that truck?

Yes it is a hub assembly. They are kind of expensive though.

ive had that popping noise when i first bought my tracker too.
my problem was a worn bolt/bushing on the swaybar i believe.
all i had to do was take off the tire and replace it, finished in about half hour.

hope everythings goes well and you dont spend too much on it