I bought a Fiat Punto 02 reg from an auction last week (bad idea I know!), the car is generally in good shape except for a loud and low creaking noise which only occurs when turning left, even just marginally left.

The sound is pretty similar to what you imagine a door in a haunted castle to make when creaking open!

It occurs louder at higher speed.

It sounds like its coming directly under the chassis in the middle (both directions) but I'm not sure that is right as there isn't a right lot directly in the middle? I could be wrong about the middle but I'm pretty sure its not coming from under the bonnet or generally the front of the car.

To give an example of the loudness and tone, its much lower and louder (say 2/3x louder) than that of a noisy rattling back seat (imagine one side not clipped in properly) and parcel shelf.

It seems to have got louder over the last few days so I'm getting worried!

Thanks for any suggestions/ideas, they are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Jonny.

does it make the noise when stationary with engie ruinning and you turn the steering wheel left?

does it make the noise when moving in neutral and you turn the steering wheel left?

i guess it does not make any noise when turning right?


my instinct says wheel bearing, but the answers to the questions could rule it out.

Thanks for your reply.

does it make the noise when stationary with engie ruinning and you turn the steering wheel left?

No noise at all when stationary and engine running.

does it make the noise when moving in neutral and you turn the steering wheel left?

Haven't tried being in neutral and turning left but I'll try it on my way home this evening.

i guess it does not make any noise when turning right?

No noise when turning right.

my instinct says wheel bearing, but the answers to the questions could rule it out.

I hope its that and not something more expensive...

I'm not majorly mechanical but I was wondering could it be some sort of pressure on the gearbox as the car is turning? I suppose if I try taking the car out of gear as above and trying the same this might rule this out/in.

Will reply once I've tested it in neutral.

Thanks,
Jonny.

Hi,ive this probelm on a little 106 i bort the g/f,its whinin from front left wen i go foward and nockin when turn.

..i agree with jug.its either the wheel bearings..(seems to get louder,the faster u go) IF it only happens when ur going foward..OR if it is defo only doing it when u turn,ur hearing like a clangin/creakin noise,then i presume its your cv joint..It could either be dry as a bone and may need greasing OR actually replacing.if thats the case,itll be down to a new (or 2nd hand) driveshaft,..

Mike

if the noise is the same in neutral then i would feel even more confident with wheel bearing.

if it is more of a knocking that increases with speed and gets worse at full lock then i would go for CV joint as mickey suggests.

jug said:

if the noise is the same in neutral then i would feel even more confident with wheel bearing.

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yer,sorry that aswell he he.Easiest way to check that is jack it up (so ur wheel spins) and 'in neutral' turn the wheel by hand and and listen..


The questions you been askin has defo got to be one of the above..Either wheel bearings or cv joint...(not sure if u can buy them sep,be easier gettin new shaft,have the lot then)..dont 4get to check the condition of it.If its dry looking,bung a loada grease around it 1st and see how u get on..
ive gota do this 2 the 106 at weekend,if its not that,gota find a new driveshaft for her

if it is CV joint then a scrapyard driveshaft is the easiest option, and also cheap.

£25 for mine(the 106),so cant see it being much dearer if not same price for urs.

Managed to test out when it creaks and it creaks both in gear and out of gear. Only really when driving > 25mph and only when turning left.

The sound really does sound like its coming from dead centre under the car which is making me think its not the CV or wheel bearings but I can't be sure.

Possibly thinking it could be part of the exhaust assembly (due to location) in some way but not sure why it would happen only when turning left.

Thanks for all your replies.

Gonna get the car jacked up at the weekend and get it looked at.

Cheers,
Jonny.

jon-boy said:

Managed to test out when it creaks and it creaks both in gear and out of gear. Only really when driving > 25mph and only when turning left.

The sound really does sound like its coming from dead centre under the car which is making me think its not the CV or wheel bearings but I can't be sure.

Possibly thinking it could be part of the exhaust assembly (due to location) in some way but not sure why it would happen only when turning left.

Thanks for all your replies.

Gonna get the car jacked up at the weekend and get it looked at.

Cheers,
Jonny.

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Hi,

Having the same problem with my O2 punto, Just wondered wether your problem was ever resolved?

What was the noise?

Would be grateful for reply

No - have written car off since so its all elementary now!

Its not a black punto, starting ET02 is it?!