[Sudderth]

My friend Ben says it is the cold weather detector. We both have V2s and they do the same thing. Think the rubber on the sway bar bushings is worn out and when warm there is no noise.

 

[CtsvLv]

Are there typical places in the front suspension to check on these cars for Creaks and Groans in the front suspension? My wife loves her Ford truck and gives me grief every time she's in my car about the one noise that it makes when leaving the driveway so I need to deal with it. Any input is appreciated.

I have a similar creaky/groaning noise in my front end and was told it was the front struts(which I think needed to be replaced anyways) replaced the struts, end links, and also the strut mounts and boot things that slide over them and to no avail. It doesn’t drive bad, but still makes the creaking noise, but mine does it mainly if I’m just sitting in the car stopped and turn the wheel left to right. Still no idea what it is and don’t wanna just throw money at it. Anybody have any ideas of what it could possibly be?

 

[mememe123]

You could try putting grease on the steering column, where the joint is.
And check your bushings.

 

[CtsvLv]

You could try putting grease on the steering column, where the joint is.
And check your bushings.

Thanks. I think you might be right about the bushings. It was a little warmer today and it hasn’t done it at all so far. Would you recommend just checking all the bushings throughout the suspension?

Thanks. I think you might be right about the bushings. It was a little warmer today and it hasn’t done it at all so far. Would you recommend just checking all the bushings throughout the suspension?
[/QUO

You could try putting grease on the steering column, where the joint is.
And check your bushings.

also, I noticed my power steering fluid is a little dirty. Any chance it might be broken down, or just from being dirty it isn’t lubricating the steering rack properly ?

 

[mememe123]

Thanks. I think you might be right about the bushings. It was a little warmer today and it hasn’t done it at all so far. Would you recommend just checking all the bushings throughout the suspension?



also, I noticed my power steering fluid is a little dirty. Any chance it might be broken down, or just from being dirty it isn’t lubricating the steering rack properly ?

It's kinda hard to check the bushings without taking them out. They might look good, but could come apart once out.

As far as power steering you could just flush and refil it, it will go bad just like brake fluid

 

[MrSurly]

It's kinda hard to check the bushings without taking them out. They might look good, but could come apart once out.

As far as power steering you could just flush and refil it, it will go bad just like brake fluid

The rubber is supposed to be BONDED TO the inner tube and the outer tube of the bushing. The rubber is supposed to FLEX when the arm moves. It is NOT supposed to SLIDE over the tube.
Also, the bolt must be tight or the inner tube will rotate around the bolt; also a bad thing.
It looks like the earlier link isn't loading so I'll try to post it here: Upper Control Arm bushing check (sound up)

 

[CtsvLv]

The rubber is supposed to be BONDED TO the inner tube and the outer tube of the bushing. The rubber is supposed to FLEX when the arm moves. It is NOT supposed to SLIDE over the tube.
Also, the bolt must be tight or the inner tube will rotate around the bolt; also a bad thing.
It looks like the earlier link isn't loading so I'll try to post it here: Upper Control Arm bushing check (sound up)

Well your video was quite helpful lol. My car is making the same exact noise when I turn the wheel left to right while stopped mainly, other than that no noises really. But I’d assume that’s gonna be the culprit

Well your video was quite helpful lol. My car is making the same exact noise when I turn the wheel left to right while stopped mainly, other than that no noises really. But I’d assume that’s gonna be the culprit

Actually now that I’m thinking about it, the sound my car making is the same , but mine does it standing still turning the wheel left to right like I said, very very seldom over a bump. So I’m thinking it’s a bushing, but maybe not a control arm cause I’m hearing the noise when I’m flat and the suspension isn’t flexing. It would have to be a bushing on something that is moving left to right as the steering wheel does I assume?

 

[subaru335i]

The rubber is supposed to be BONDED TO the inner tube and the outer tube of the bushing. The rubber is supposed to FLEX when the arm moves. It is NOT supposed to SLIDE over the tube.
Also, the bolt must be tight or the inner tube will rotate around the bolt; also a bad thing.
It looks like the earlier link isn't loading so I'll try to post it here: Upper Control Arm bushing check (sound up)

The more I think about it, that is kind of a bad design destined to keep failing like this.

 

[MrSurly]

Actually now that I’m thinking about it, the sound my car making is the same , but mine does it standing still turning the wheel left to right like I said, very very seldom over a bump. So I’m thinking it’s a bushing, but maybe not a control arm cause I’m hearing the noise when I’m flat and the suspension isn’t flexing. It would have to be a bushing on something that is moving left to right as the steering wheel does I assume?

1. It IS the bushings that are making the noise. I referenced the upper control arm because it's specifically the upper control arm bushings and they are part of the UCA assembly. They are being deflected vertically. You CAN replace the bushings individually, but it would make no sense to take that approach as the UCA can be purchased from Rock Auto for 52 bux and it comes with two bushings installed AND a new ball joint. Replace the two UCAs and all four upper control arm bushings are taken care of for around a hundred bucks in parts, if DIY. If hiring the job done, it will cost quite a bit more.


2. When you turn the steering wheel the suspension DOES flex quite a bit, actually. The front suspension has "caster" meaning that the steering axis (the imaginary vertical line that prescribes the pivot point that the front wheels swing around when steering) is inclined toward the rear. This is what makes the steering want to re-center itself when you release the wheel. When you steer the wheels one wheel moves to the rear and this compresses suspension because that wheel is actually moving downward versus its at-rest position, while the other wheel is moving upward. This actually causes the car to tilt slightly as you turn the wheel. This action DOES move the arms relative to the car.

When steering to the right, the right side of the body of the car moves UP and the left goes down

 

[MrSurly]

The more I think about it, that is kind of a bad design destined to keep failing like this.

Perhaps... but there are aftermarket bushings available that use a different approach and material and include some distinct trade-offs in the NVH realm, you can choose what you like.

Considering that the originals are lasting around ten years and 80000 miles or more, I'm not certain that "destined to keep failing" is a valid slam since it is unlikely that anyone has replaced a set twice.

 

[CtsvLv]

1. It IS the bushings that are making the noise. I referenced the upper control arm because it's specifically the upper control arm bushings and they are part of the UCA assembly. They are being deflected vertically. You CAN replace the bushings individually, but it would make no sense to take that approach as the UCA can be purchased from Rock Auto for 52 bux and it comes with two bushings installed AND a new ball joint. Replace the two UCAs and all four upper control arm bushings are taken care of for around a hundred bucks in parts, if DIY. If hiring the job done, it will cost quite a bit more.


2. When you turn the steering wheel the suspension DOES flex quite a bit, actually. The front suspension has "caster" meaning that the steering axis (the imaginary vertical line that prescribes the pivot point that the front wheels swing around when steering) is inclined toward the rear. This is what makes the steering want to re-center itself when you release the wheel. When you steer the wheels one wheel moves to the rear and this compresses suspension because that wheel is actually moving downward versus its at-rest position, while the other wheel is moving upward. This actually causes the car to tilt slightly as you turn the wheel. This action DOES move the arms relative to the car.

When steering to the right, the right side of the body of the car moves UP and the left goes down

Thanks for the knowledge sir 🫡 Yeah I could definitely feel how the body of the car moves up when turning the wheel either way, just figured maybe it had to do with the width of the front end or something 😅. Suspension is definitely not something I’m too familiar with haha. Once I realized you could hear the creak outside the car too I figured better figure it out.

 

[CtsvLv]

Perhaps... but there are aftermarket bushings available that use a different approach and material and include some distinct trade-offs in the NVH realm, you can choose what you like.

Considering that the originals are lasting around ten years and 80000 miles or more, I'm not certain that "destined to keep failing" is a valid slam since it is unlikely that anyone has replaced a set twice.

Would you happen to know if the upper control arms are the same for coupe, wagon and sedan?

 

[MrSurly]

To quote Ms MonaLisa Vito: Dey AHH!

 

[CtsvLv]

To quote Ms MonaLisa Vito: Dey AHH!

Haha, thank you 👍🏼