HI,

my fabia (13000 kms) has developed a creaking noise from its suspensions when going over bumps (not sure whether it is coming from the front or rear). The noise can only be heard when the suspension is wet. When the weather and suspensions are dry I cannot hear anything unusual. Unfortunately I cannot reproduce the sound by shaking the car when stationary.

The suspension seems to creak only when it is moving abruptly. The noise can be heard only for a split second as the suspension absorbs the first impact with the pothole or speed bump. The noise is not heard when the car rolls or dives when turning and breaking.

I have had a phone conversation with my dealer and he has told me that this sound is being produced by the ARB bushes and that nothing is serious and that I can live with it with no problems. However he has offered to inspect the car when the weather conditions are wet.

Do any of you have an opinion of what might be causing this noise?

I have owned 8 brand new cars over the years and all but one (a smart) have had various noises from the suspension, either creaks, squeaks or knocks after very short mileages. None have ever been diagnosed by a dealer and I now just live with them!

My Fabia II had a slight knock from the rear and my Roomster has gained a similar noise now at 6000 miles.

Hi Fabiamt, yes I think your dealer has put his finger on the problem. It is not uncommon for cars of all makes to be a bit noisy on the arb bushes. Strangely they often start making the noise when the suspension is wet, but then this can progress to a dry weather only noise as the bushes wear just a little. Let you dealer take a look and if he hears it he can spray the bushes with a suitable lubricant that should stop the problem for a year or so. Any spray used must be a lubricant than won't harm the bushes. A completely inert silicone spray is best. But nothing with petroleum distillates. I have not had this noise on any of my own cars but have seen it and cured it on plenty. Good luck.

Same issue here. Creaks and squeaks coming from the rear of the car. I also get an almost digital sounding clicking noise which is produced when simply driving on normal roads? Sounds like a switch clicking on and off?? Really weird.

Mine also seems to be happening when it's wet and goes away when dry. I had the same thing with the corsa so I guessed it just happens and i've not mentioned it.... No point anyway, with the service I've had from my dealer lately I'd be lucky if they even looked at the car!

You would be amazed that Skoda don't lub/grease the pivot/contact points between the bushes and the metal!! So on the front ARB the saddle bush is clamped around the ARB..when the ARB want's to rotate it squeeks!!.....just need to undo the two bolts each side for the saddle plate and remove bush and copper grease the inside of the bush and the contact area on the ARB then refit!!...

Thanks guys for your advices. I feel more relieved now knowing that the problem is not so serious.

I think I will try to lubricate the bushes myself this weekend before going to the dealer.

Thanks