Creaking Sound

[charlie53]

When I accelerate out of corners there is a fairly loud creaking sound coming from the front of the car. I can only hear this noise when cornering. Is it anything to be worried about?

[russh84]

it might be a wheel bearing gone

[one_nation04]

wheel bearings dont really creak mate, they are more of a whinning sound, could be top mounts wearing

[charlie53]

This is still happening and seems to have got worse :n: Has anyone else got any ideas before I take the car to a garage?

[NICK2506]

does it sound like the noise when you sit down on an old chair. i only get it when going over a bumper and conrering and accelerating :P like when my car goes at an angle onto a driveway or something.

[BobC]

These symptoms sound likely to be suspension related.

Perhaps the anti-roll bar, droplinks or their bushes or ball joints respectively.

Could be the suspension struts (shock absorbers).

Try rocking your car gently at first and rock steadily harder to see if you can replicate the squeaking. By rocking the car you simulate cornering and stress the suspension.

If you suspect bearings then, jack up the front and check the bearings as in:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5khjK0y6PIw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5khjK0y6PIw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khjK0y6PIw

Cheers

[NICK2506]

These symptoms sound likely to be suspension related.

Perhaps the anti-roll bar, droplinks or their bushes or ball joints respectively.

Could be the suspension struts (shock absorbers).

Try rocking your car gently at first and rock steadily harder to see if you can replicate the squeaking. By rocking the car you simulate cornering and stress the suspension.

If you suspect bearings then, jack up the front and check the bearings as in:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5khjK0y6PIw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5khjK0y6PIw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5khjK0y6PIw

Cheers

I got my car lowered 2 months ago, reckon this could be anything to do with it????

[BobC]

If you grab the roof and rock the car you may be able to simulate the creaking. Alternatively get someone else to rock the car whilst you listen to help to pinpoint whether it is the bushes or a strut.

When you lowered your car did you change the suspension coil springs and shock absorbers for lower & firmer ones?

If you did, try spraying your wishbone and anti-roll bar bushes with WD40 /Plus Gas and see if this eases the creaking for a while. If so you could consider replacing the bushes with poly bushes such as powerflex bushes. Getting the old bushes out can be a real pig of a job see: http://www.powerflex.co.uk/fitting_guides.php for what you might be facing for the wishbones.

When suspension setups are changed or wishbones are changed the bolts through these bushes should not be tightened until the car has been returned to the ground and the suspension settles.

In your case the bolts through the bushes might be tight as they were not loosened when the original ride height was lowered perhaps leading to squeaking and increased wear. If you see what I mean.

[BobC]

In your case it will almost definitely be a bush imho. Just need to find which one(s). I'd guess the anti-roll bar bushes.

[NICK2506]

hmmm. i just got new springs at front and torsion bar adjusted at back.