Suspension: - Intermittent Squeak!

Rob.D · May 7th, 2013, 08:27

Hi Folks,
Sorry to bother you with this one, but I'm getting an intermittent squeak from the front end, quite loud at times, sounds like it might be coming from the offside strut, but not sure? I'm thinking could this be a sign that the top mount is on the way out? Or is it bushes somewhere, I just don't know, and don't know how to check everything to find out? Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks.

Oh! just a thought, if it is the top mount, is it advisable to replace both sides? (on the basis that if one's gone, then the other's not far behind). Only they're rather pricey if both parts (each side) are required!
Cheers.

cyclogenesis · May 7th, 2013, 12:46

The symptom on my suspension was a cross between a squeak and a tap. It was most evident going down a slight hill when coasting. Under breaking and acceleration it would stop. This is because acceleration or braking stops the flex in the top part of the strut. I replaced my top spring mounts and dampers at the weekend and it is a different car.

180,000 miles, both front dampers next to useless and the offside upper spring mount shot.

Open your bonnet, stand on the bumper and jump the car up and down. If you see more than a few millimetres of up and down movement on the top of the damper, then they are probably shot. Mine moved about a good centimetre up and down.

blackrevolver · May 7th, 2013, 13:11

It could be a bushing, as my front end has fairly new shocks/springs/mounts and the left side has developed an Intermittent Squeak, which seems to be worse just after ive washed the car, so water must be sneaking in somewhere.

I had my car checked over by a garage last week (for another issue), they inspected the entire suspension (no problems found), i never mentioned the Intermittent Squeak but he did say "you have a squeak from the front end which sounds like its coming from the bush".

Hopefully that's the case, for me and you.

Rob.D · May 7th, 2013, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackrevolver

It could be a bushing, as my front end has fairly new shocks/springs/mounts and the left side has developed an Intermittent Squeak, which seems to be worse just after ive washed the car, so water must be sneaking in somewhere.

I had my car checked over by a garage last week (for another issue), they inspected the entire suspension (no problems found), i never mentioned the Intermittent Squeak but he did say "you have a squeak from the front end which sounds like its coming from the bush".

Hopefully that's the case, for me and you.

Thanks Mate,
Boy that's a coincidence! Mine too squeaks after it's been washed!!! Sounds like you and your garage are on to something. Er, "the bush" - which bush?

Cheers, Rob.

blackrevolver · May 7th, 2013, 17:29

Rob, i honestly never asked as i wasn't too concerned as i was more worried about an issue with the tie rod ends but luckly they where ok!

The only real place water can enter after i wash the car and use the hose is near the wheel arch so that makes me think water is getting trapped near the shocks or there is a bushing aound that area which has devloped a squeak!

Rob.D · May 9th, 2013, 09:07

Hi Blackrevolver,
Thinking about this, I'm going to drag the pressure washer out and spray (liberally) one side only, then go for a drive. If it doesn't squeak, then it must be the other side, but to be sure I'll spray that too. The only thing I can think of is the wishbone bushes, which I believe have a metal outer. Is THIS the source of our squeak? We'll see!
Regards, Rob.

960kg · May 9th, 2013, 10:10

If it helps at all Rob.....i know your squeak is the front but i had an annoying permanent squeak at the rear.

Thought it was the tail lift but no then the rear seats, no.

I changed the rear shockers and the squeak went away then came back 3 months later.

So i put an extra washer under the nut on top of the rear shocker for extra tightness and now it has gone permanently.

Somehow i don`t think this will help you as the front is different!!

Can you tighten the top nuts anyhow?

big_yin · May 10th, 2013, 05:46

Also check there is no crack in the wishbones.

blackrevolver · May 10th, 2013, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob.D

Hi Blackrevolver,
Thinking about this, I'm going to drag the pressure washer out and spray (liberally) one side only, then go for a drive. If it doesn't squeak, then it must be the other side, but to be sure I'll spray that too. The only thing I can think of is the wishbone bushes, which I believe have a metal outer. Is THIS the source of our squeak? We'll see!
Regards, Rob.

Look forward to your findings!

Rob.D · May 10th, 2013, 09:32

Hi Guys,
Am alarmed at the prospect of a cracked wishbone!!!!! Haven't done the water test yet (to determine which side it is), will keep you posted.
Regards.

May 7th, 2013, 08:27	#1
Rob.D Captain Mainbearing Last Online: Dec 4th, 2016 14:41 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norwich	Intermittent Squeak! Hi Folks, Sorry to bother you with this one, but I'm getting an intermittent squeak from the front end, quite loud at times, sounds like it might be coming from the offside strut, but not sure? I'm thinking could this be a sign that the top mount is on the way out? Or is it bushes somewhere, I just don't know, and don't know how to check everything to find out? Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks. Oh! just a thought, if it is the top mount, is it advisable to replace both sides? (on the basis that if one's gone, then the other's not far behind). Only they're rather pricey if both parts (each side) are required! Cheers. __________________ 1998 V70 2.5 10 Valve (B5252S) Auto.Tropical Green (412), Oak Leather/Burr Walnut int. Goodridge lines, OE strut brace, K&N panel filter. 1997 V70 2.5 20 Valve Auto Blue. Past: '89 740 Estate, '82 240 Estate.

May 9th, 2013, 09:07	#6
Rob.D Captain Mainbearing Last Online: Dec 4th, 2016 14:41 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norwich	Hi Blackrevolver, Thinking about this, I'm going to drag the pressure washer out and spray (liberally) one side only, then go for a drive. If it doesn't squeak, then it must be the other side, but to be sure I'll spray that too. The only thing I can think of is the wishbone bushes, which I believe have a metal outer. Is THIS the source of our squeak? We'll see! Regards, Rob. __________________ 1998 V70 2.5 10 Valve (B5252S) Auto.Tropical Green (412), Oak Leather/Burr Walnut int. Goodridge lines, OE strut brace, K&N panel filter. 1997 V70 2.5 20 Valve Auto Blue. Past: '89 740 Estate, '82 240 Estate.

May 10th, 2013, 09:32	#10
Rob.D Captain Mainbearing Last Online: Dec 4th, 2016 14:41 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norwich	Hi Guys, Am alarmed at the prospect of a cracked wishbone!!!!! Haven't done the water test yet (to determine which side it is), will keep you posted. Regards. __________________ 1998 V70 2.5 10 Valve (B5252S) Auto.Tropical Green (412), Oak Leather/Burr Walnut int. Goodridge lines, OE strut brace, K&N panel filter. 1997 V70 2.5 20 Valve Auto Blue. Past: '89 740 Estate, '82 240 Estate.

May 7th, 2013, 12:46	#2
cyclogenesis Senior Member Last Online: May 17th, 2024 14:25 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth	The symptom on my suspension was a cross between a squeak and a tap. It was most evident going down a slight hill when coasting. Under breaking and acceleration it would stop. This is because acceleration or braking stops the flex in the top part of the strut. I replaced my top spring mounts and dampers at the weekend and it is a different car. 180,000 miles, both front dampers next to useless and the offside upper spring mount shot. Open your bonnet, stand on the bumper and jump the car up and down. If you see more than a few millimetres of up and down movement on the top of the damper, then they are probably shot. Mine moved about a good centimetre up and down.

May 7th, 2013, 13:11	#3
blackrevolver Premier Member Last Online: Dec 10th, 2015 18:46 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Scotland	It could be a bushing, as my front end has fairly new shocks/springs/mounts and the left side has developed an Intermittent Squeak, which seems to be worse just after ive washed the car, so water must be sneaking in somewhere. I had my car checked over by a garage last week (for another issue), they inspected the entire suspension (no problems found), i never mentioned the Intermittent Squeak but he did say "you have a squeak from the front end which sounds like its coming from the bush". Hopefully that's the case, for me and you.

May 7th, 2013, 17:29	#5
blackrevolver Premier Member Last Online: Dec 10th, 2015 18:46 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Scotland	Rob, i honestly never asked as i wasn't too concerned as i was more worried about an issue with the tie rod ends but luckly they where ok! The only real place water can enter after i wash the car and use the hose is near the wheel arch so that makes me think water is getting trapped near the shocks or there is a bushing aound that area which has devloped a squeak!

May 9th, 2013, 10:10	#7
960kg Premier Member Last Online: Dec 28th, 2022 12:25 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mercville	If it helps at all Rob.....i know your squeak is the front but i had an annoying permanent squeak at the rear. Thought it was the tail lift but no then the rear seats, no. I changed the rear shockers and the squeak went away then came back 3 months later. So i put an extra washer under the nut on top of the rear shocker for extra tightness and now it has gone permanently. Somehow i don`t think this will help you as the front is different!! Can you tighten the top nuts anyhow?

May 10th, 2013, 05:46	#8
big_yin Senior Member Last Online: Apr 19th, 2024 11:52 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hexham, Northumberland	Also check there is no crack in the wishbones.

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