Car creaking?!

[speedover]

Hi all,

Need some help...for a while now my car has been making creaking sounds whenever I go over bumps, put my foot down on the throttle or over pot holes. Recently, it failed the MOT purely on corroded suspension rubber bush so had it repaired/replaced. I thought this may be the problem but it appears the sound is still present!!

If anyone could have a listen and maybe (long shot I know) diagnose or recommend for me then that would be great. Sound is coming from the front nearside it would seem.

Sound here:

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Dean-]

I couldn't hear the squeaking? :think: All I seemed to hear was gear changing.

[speedover]

The creak is quiet in the audio but definitely present in the background. Really loud in the car too.

Edit: 25 seconds onwards there's a series of the creaking sound over and over.

Edited 28 November, 2012 by speedover

[lilstrop]

I've noticed mine doing similar over the past week or two. I'll be interested to know what the cause is....

[hutchysrs50]

Also got this problem, i notice it going up a curb onto my drive, only get it going over bumps etc so dont think its the handbrake as people have said previously. Being my own car i cant be bother putting it on the ramp and checking whats wrong...

[ToxicNeo]

I had this on mine after having some stupid independent garage replace console bushes and n/s/f bearing. Did my nut in for ages. Anyway, took it to a VAG specialist to sort the bearing out - he noticed the creaking without me saying anything and sorted it out. Apparently he just slackened off some of the nuts holding the n/s/f shock in place until it went and then tightened them back up, it's not come back since. He thinks the shock was slightly twisted or something like that.

Might be worth trying that first

[hutchysrs50]

I did replace my console bushes recently but had my noise before that, mines coming from the rear also.

[sean2390]

Sounds a lil like a squeeky mattress. I've got some squeeking going on myself with the suspension. Only when its cold tho.

[Chris Coates]

Rear axle bushes.

[speedover]

Think I'll just take it to a local VAG specialist and have them diagnose it. Hoping it won't cost too much. Christmas is'a coming.

[Chris Coates]

I'd be pretty sure of the rear axle bushes as the cause... But they are famous for being a pain in the backside to do manually.

Coming from someone who spent a whole day doing his

[nicknameless]

I have a creaking too. Had console bushes replaced with superpro poly version a few months back. Creaking started about 2 months after fitting and has actually eased off a little with the colder weather. Explain that one!

[Chris Coates]

The rear axle bushes are different to the console bushes just for reference.

As for your creaking... Chances are your poly bushes were either settling and have now settled... Or the cold has made them firmer so they're not flexing as much and when it warms up again your creaking will come back... At which point it's time to either spray it with silicone and hope the creaking goes away or swapsies again.

Obviously could be the rear axle bushes but the only way to tell would be to use a mini speed bump for reference and go over it at _just_ the right speed to make the creak happen. If it does it when you go over the bump with the front wheels? Then it's either top mounts, anti roll bar bush, engine mounts/gearbox mount, or console bushes. If it isn't the front then there's only the rear axle bush to point the finger at.

[nicknameless]

My rear is not creaky, tis the front. I did wonder about drop links, but it sounds distinctly polybushy so presume it's the superpros. Will not be swapping out expensive bushes for the sake of a creak.

[ste372]

if its creaking at the front going over speedbumps etc.... top mounts on the the front suspension struts would be my bet. mine used to do it sprayed some white grease up where the spring sits and around the top under the bonnet creaking went and never returned in 2 years of owning it

[sean2390]

Would silicone lube be suitable for the struts since my suspension is squeeky in the cold?

[danny4646]

could be the exhaust heat sheilds knocking? common for the locking disc things to snap off with age

[sean2390]

nah its not a knocking at all. Sounds like a squeeky matress

[Dunkuk]

Mines doing it as well!

Speed bumps are the worst, I think silicon would be fine as its compatible with everything pretty much. I'm going to get me some spray grease too.

[sean2390]

It's definitely the cold weather cause I didn't have it during the summer D:

[nafeun]

Front 18mm wishbone bolt needs tightening. Guarantee it m!

[Dunkuk]

Well I took mine in to have the cambelt replaced at the dealer. Which is now done. They also have fixed the squeak! I noticed a line of Fabias outside the repair workshop which must mean the guys know their stuff. I didn't have a chance to ask anyone what they did as I only noticed whilst driving home. I suspect some squirty grease though as I don't think they would have taken anything apart for free (you never know)

[hutchysrs50]

Good news for you then, shame you didnt find out. Nothing on the recipt about it??

[kevinm79]

mine does this on the drivers side. But I do have aftermarket console polly bushes fitted so I am around 90% sure that's causing it. Also a knocking when driving over anything but I am betting that is the ARB