Creaking front passenger side

[crazyhorse]

Hi all,

It's been a while.

'Crazyhorse' has been performing well of late (apart from the usual top up of oil and coolant every now and again), over the last few weeks though......

It seems to creak every time the van rocks to to the left side. I had the bushes done a few months ago as there was really noisy squeaking every time i went over bumps... but this noise is different, defo a creak.

Should I worry, or am i just sounding a bit crazy???

Thanks all

d

[bugsteve]

annoying eh.. that would annoy me very quickly at least hahaha.... could try putting your ear to front and back wheel while someone rocks the van to find out what end its coming from first. If you stick your head under you may even be able to pin point the prob.

If not i would then spray each bush, ball joint, track rod, anti roll bar bushses, and even tops and bottoms of spring (everything that looks like it moves) ONE AT A TIME with more rocking or driving until noise disappears. this will reveal the exact problem area and also fix the noise temporarily. Allowing you to keep up wd40 application upon creaking as a quick fix, which may even clean and lube offending part and be good for ever or at least stop annoying you while you get a new part ordered up and fitted.

Failing that, you could turn the stereo up hahaha.

[RogerT]

Mine does that too! I know that's a pretty unhelpful thing to say, but ther has been a loud creak under the front passenger seat since we got it it 2012. Have never investigated, has never got worse or better, been too busy doing other things on it-there's always plenty of other things!!

[what2do]

Washed my van yesterday, now I've got the same squeak under my ass. I knew I shouldn't have bothered to wash it!

[R0B]

At least its squeaky clean.

[CovKid]

Wishbone bushes. Mine have squeaked for 8 years and not got any worse. You can fit new ones only to find they squeak too.

[NicBeeee]

Have you tried some silicone grease, always cover anything rubber with it when I service a vehicle.

[billy739]

its usually the top wishbone bushes.


they have no play , but the bush becomes unbonded from the sleeve so the bush twists in the sleeve making a noise. new bushes are the only soloution - or live with it

having said that i would certainly give the front end the once over , making sure everything is tight and in place seeing as you have had it all apart recently!


BTW did you get the tracking / camber reset after doing the top arm bushes?

[CovKid]

The correct position for camber is bolt upright so if you're on level ground or can find a surface that is, its possible to check if front wheels are within spec by rolling forwards and backwards a few times and using a spirit across the face of the wheel rim. Replacing top bushes will throw that out and cause premature wear - usually on the inner of the tyre tread as without adjustment bottom of wheel will sit out further from the top by default.

Personally I find them a pain to change and adjust but I made a pro tool to get them in and out smoothly rather than the equally valid but less professional big hammer method.

[crazyhorse]

its usually the top wishbone bushes.


they have no play , but the bush becomes unbonded from the sleeve so the bush twists in the sleeve making a noise. new bushes are the only soloution - or live with it

having said that i would certainly give the front end the once over , making sure everything is tight and in place seeing as you have had it all apart recently!


BTW did you get the tracking / camber reset after doing the top arm bushes?

Yep, did that and they were bang on.

The old boy is in for a MOT in a few weeks so will let you all know the results.

If the bushes were done recently, could they still come back creaking and squeaking within a few months?? My mechanic said they tend to go dry hence why the squeaks and creaks

Tried putting wd40 on it, but not really sure where to put it with my 0 mechanical knowledge

[NicBeeee]

Tried putting wd40 on it, but not really sure where to put it with my 0 mechanical knowledge

Best to not put wd40 or in fact any penetrating spray on rubber, wd40 is solvent based and will damage the rubber.

As mentioned earlier you only put either a bushing grease on or a silicone grease, I always use greasil 4000, not cheap but I have never had to change a bush or gaitor in years on any car I have owned, I also put it over the external electrical terminals to stop any corrosion. Prior to fitment the bushes should have silicone grease applied to make them easier to fit and in turn stop all that squeeking as it makes rubber more pliable. Same with door and window seals silicone keeps them looking new and fresh for years applied at every service.