Suspension creak, I think

Big Brin · Apr 15, 2007

My car was sat for a long time before I acquired it (4 months I am told), and when the car has warmed up there is an awful noise coming even at very low speeds from the suspension (I think). It is very audible inside and outside the car. I have WD-40'd everything but it still prevailas and it is intensly annoying on a car I spent a small fortune on. And I am extremely concious that passersby on the street wll be secretly laughing given the noise the thing is making. To me, I'd guess at worn steering arm bushes or something in the suspension. I wouldn't even rule out something to do wioth the brakes. Anyhow, the dealer from whom I acquired it has told me to run it for a thousand miles as he expects that the noise will drive out in time. If I recall, it was that things had 'died out' whilst the car was sitting. I remain unconvinced and I want it fixed....besides the car has just had the 111 Porsche check which didn't throw out anything. Any one else had experience like this when a car has sat for a while?

Rgds, Brin

NIL98 · Apr 15, 2007

Common fault, lower ball joint I seem to remember. Wasnt too expensive consider the 'orrible noise it makes.
Regards
Neil

GMcMillan · Apr 19, 2007

Most common fault is the lower ball joint which is part of the wishbone but and its a really big but, it can also be the front anti roll bar yes the bar not the bushes although you would as good practice change the bushes at the same time. It can also be the strut tops but also the strut brace bars on top of the front struts which can only be got at by some dash dismantling!! Spraying with WD or silicone will not work but a good try.

eleanorb · Apr 19, 2007

Hello Brin,
I have a 3.2 as well and it sits in the garage for some time. The same noise you are describing was the same thing I was expieriencing. The creak was coming from the suspension height adjusters. There are two of these on the suspension with a square head bolt protruding from them to adjust the height up or down. As the car goes over a bump or rough surface you get the creak. If you cannot do the job yourself tell your garage to take them both out, pack the housing with grease and refit them, no need for new ones.
Regards
Brad, 3.2 Carrera

Big Brin · Apr 21, 2007

Thanks all. I got under the car today with the wheel removed and definitely it is the ball joint; you can feel the friction of metal on metal when the whole wheel assembly is moved up and down. And it cannot be sorted with silicone grease as the ball joint is obviously presealed. Looks like the ball joint is attached to the wishbone so it means a new wishbone presumably. In my simpler TVR days, it would have been only a bolted on ball joint to fix..... I have emailed the dealer I bought the car from; it was a known fault with the car at point of sale and the advice I was given was run it for a 1000 miles, it will dissapear. It won't in my opinion and I'll want it replacing...

Rgds, Brin