General drivers side squeak!

[Clivvy]

Hi Chaps,


I have had a search around and found possible matches for my problem, but I am hoping for some further advice.


I have developed a squeak or creak from (it appears) the front offside. At first I thought it was engine mount, then I thought it was suspension or shocks. I checked the suspension, visually fine, I checked the shocks visually fine but also rocking the car doesn't recreate the noise (though doing this isn't conclusive).


When I got into work this morning, I had a look inside the engine bay. The main engine mount appears fine, but I can see on the drivers side under the coolant bottle something else with a wotsit that clearly slides in and out....


what is it?? It looks like an engine mount of some sort with a kind of dampening rod like a shock absorber....can anyone clarify as this may be my issue! thank you in advance!

 

[benyboy95]

Have you checked the bushes on the wishbone and the drop link ?

 

[Clivvy]

Have you checked the bushes on the wishbone and the drop link ?

I haven't yet, but purely because I didn't think that would cause this sort of squeaky creak - it does occur in time with bumpy roads though, if that makes sense, so I will take a look though I cant help but think its that engine mount type contraption in the engine bay...?!

 

[Clivvy]

I think its this I am looking at (sorry about the tiny pic)

 

[roy lovelock]

looks like an engine mount on a 1.9 jtd if im correct.

 

[Clivvy]

yup, I think so, are these prone to squeaks or creaks does anyone know?


I cant seem to rock the engine enough to test!

 

[Peat]

Spray with WD40 (it does have it's uses!) to see if it goes away!

 

[roy lovelock]

the engine mount shouldn't squeak, they are just vibration absorbing and the engine shouldn't move that much to cause a squeak. The only time i could see that happening is if your engine mount on the gearbox side is broken and allowing the engine to sway - check that one.
Is the noise happening when your turning the steering wheel or just going along in a straight line?
If its occurring when turning it could be the bearing in the turret that holds the top of the suspension (about the same location) between top mount and shock.

My car when brand new it always creaked when going over bumps, i learned to live with it, my current stilo creaks squeaks, grinds (low hanging engine cover because of broken bolts), and rattles, i just crank the stereo up now otherwise i will go mad trying to track them all down.

 

[Clivvy]

I experimented on my drive home. Its mostly in a straight line, and definitely in time with the body of the car going back and forth/up and down sort of thing.


I did spin it round briefly in the car park, but again it only creaked when the car actually moves up and down - so it does lead me to believe that its suspension related perhaps, maybe I will try jack that side up and have a play.....!


oh, also, didn't seem to do it at all until after about a mile of driving, that might be irrelevant...

 

[roy lovelock]

its got to be one of the joints, shocks or springs (check there not broken).
Is it a tapping noise or just a squeak.
Have a look at the disks as well, excess rust on the outside of the disk will rub against the shield causing a squeaking noise, this usually gets louder though when you corner.

I bet it is your droplinks, how old are they? they dont last very long on the stilo and are a cheap easy quick fix for noisy suspension

 

[ashleybourne]

I have exactly the same issue!

I've just had new wishbones and springs so I suppose you could rule those out. The car has just been through an MOT and my mechanic didn't say anything about the drop links being worn (these were replaced on the previous MOT also).

Please update if you find the source, it's driving me absolutely bonkers!

 

[roy lovelock]

nice one, my car never failed on worn droplinks, infact it was difficult to fail them on the car as the roll bar keeps them still.
Also my car went through 3 mots with failed rear bushes so the mot will pick up a lot of stuff but may not pic up on some stuff. Just be aware.
roy

 

[Clivvy]

thanks for the clues guys.


The drop links are ok, the noise is a sort of creaking sound. Happens when I put any sort of quick force.


if I am driving along at whatever speed, and just tap the accelerator on on on like that you can hear it creaking. As I come to a standstill, and release the brakes, creak.


I can hear it creaking when going over bumps on rough road, its never a knocking, just the creaking, and its in time with the car movement.


I will inspect the springs and shocks again asap when I have it jacked up.


When I had a look at the drivers side engine mount, I can see grease or much or something that's fluid on the bit that goes form the mount, into the engine block, so I am not sure if its that or not - I understand the engine may not seem to move much but its only slight movement anyway that's causing the creaking...!

 

[paullawton2007]

i just crank the stereo up now otherwise i will go mad trying to track them all down.

thats what i do!! I have a creaking dash does my nut in on tick over or waiting in a q!

i know my car creaked for a bit once it had been jacked up and put back down again? seems a right mystery this one! had a listen to mine 1.9jtd an i cant seem to hear a creak (had to turn the radio down of course!)

 

[Clivvy]

just thought I would follow up on this in case it helps anyone.


the solution to this issue for me was new wishbones. Basically, the drivers side was so worn, that not only was the rubber squeaking, it was allowing a knock.


so there you have it!