Hey!

A couple of weeks ago the front left strut finally shat itself & the car started making a creaking noise (like stressed metal) when I would turn right at intersections sad.gif

I've been meaning to get them all replaced anyway so it's not the end of the world but the noise has gotten a lot worse in the last few days: The car sounds like a rickety old billy-kart when I turn both ways now (to be honest though, the car still handles pretty decently at all speeds confused.gif ).

Anyway, now I'm wondering if there is anything else that might be causing this problem - or possibly adding to it - that people can think of. The strut has definitely had it, of that I'm sure but would it be the cause of the loud creaking noise?

If it sounds to you knowledgable chaps like it's just the strut then that's cool. However, if there is something else I should be looking at, please let me know.

Cheers fing02.gif

 

Could be the strut bearing at the top where it meets the body of the car. Could also be the ball joint at the end of the rack. One of the benefits of a strut style front suspension, there are not a whole lot of moving parts.

It might also be that you destroyed the spring perch up in the top of the strut and the spring is binding.. without being able to see and hear it, I really cannot tell you. I would suggest a friend to move the steering wheel while you stand nearby and listen...

 

not able to turn.. then right after it made a ''big'' noise and turning was okay?
might be the differential

 

Umm.
CV Joint!

 

Tried to listen for noise with someone turning the wheel & nothing could be heard. Any other ways for me to check these things without having to remove the strut? I will get the new ones installed professionally but I want to make sure everything is done in one go... I want to be able to tell them what to do & I also don't want to get raped because I didn't know what actually needed doing.


Nah, nothing like that that... Just a steady "creaking" (sorry, that's the best way I can describe it) sound as it carries the weight of the car around corners.

 

OK, so as it turns out it was the CV joints. I should've updated this a couple of days ago when the sound became less of a "stressed metal" sound & more of a "rattling" sound... Like marbles in a tin can.

I'm awaiting a third & final estimate for the cost of replacing the driveshaft. It's looking like it's going to cost upwards of $400AUD though sad.gif

On a positive note, it would seem my shocks are not nearly as bad as I'd previously thought, so they might last me a little while longer cool.gif

Just one question though: Is it acceptable to use a reconditionned driveshaft or do I definitely want a brand-new one? I've been getting conflicting advice...

 

I've never used them (I've never had to replace cv's), but I know ppl that have with no probs.

 

I've heard they're alright to use too... I've also heard that some people/shops won't touch them.

I think I'll go with the cheaper option of reconditionned ones... The car'll probably only last a few more years anyway.

 

check the ball joints on the rack and on the lower arms,, also check the upper shock mounts too