front end creaking noise

[devans]

Hi everyone, when radio is switched off i can at times hear some horrible creking noise which i believe is at the front end of the car. It gets exagerated when i turn the steering wheel. The garage recently stated that one of the front shocks was weak. However, they stated that i would notice when to replace as the shock would leak or i would get uneven wear on my tyres. Ive not noticed either of these yet. If it is the shocks, is it right that a creaking sound would be made and if so should both shocks be replaced together?
Many thanks, all responses appreciated!!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Creaking (like an old bed spring) is quite often the ball joint on the lower wishbone. One or two people have had success injecting grease into the joint through the rubber bellows, but most times the whole wishbone needs changing (the joint isn't available as a separate part). Hartech do an exchange service on these, about half the price of a new one. http://www.hartech.org/parts.html (Boxster / 996 front/rear track control arm).

 

[996Martyn]

Im had a similar problem with my 2001 996. i decided to start with cheapest option and replaced the top mounts and bearing first. Cost about £53 each. Did the trick! There was a thread on this a while ago on how to change them DIY with pictures. Richard , I think you sent the thread to me possibly in May 2010.

 

[david_yorkshire]

Devans, out of interest, how did the garage diagnose that a shock was 'weak' ? yes, they should be replaced in pairs Another source of your creak could be the inner pivot point of the 'coffin arm' (i.e. lower part of the wishbone.) the inner joint is a laminated bush that err de-laminates over time, and really does creak. Chris from CG showed me one on his bench that when held in a vice, you could make creak just by flexing the joint by hand. I've just had all mine replaced, but with polybushes, as I only really track the car. David

 

[minny]

or like my car, the front anti roll bar bushes.