C5 X7 loud creaking from front both sides.

[EDC5]

Recently, I’ve noticed a sort of metallic creaking noise coming equally from both front wheel (or possibly underneath) whenever the car leans. Be it turning a corner, jiggling the wheel left and right whilst moving very slowly or even pushing the car side to side above the driver’s door.

On my old focus I had a similar problem that turned out to be anti-roll bar drop links, but that was definitely a banging noise not a creaking.

The car drives well, no steering issues (tracking was done recently)

Any ideas?

[Stickyfinger]

If it does it (noticed at slow speed) then it is ?probably the lower Frap joints

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... ower+joint

[EDC5]

Just read that thread, looks like a bit of a job. Is that the most likely candidate for the source of the sound?

I'll just add that it's not steering side to side that causes the creak, it's the lean of the body that's doing it.
I'll try and get a recording of it as that might help.

[Stickyfinger]

Ah....the lean, so is the creaking coming from the strut or the lower area. The FRAP joints will make no noise when stationary.

[EDC5]

It's difficult to tell to be honest, however it does come from both sides equally.

Do the anti-roll bars cause much trouble on C5's?

I'll get a video or a sound recording tomorrow and hopefully that will be a little more helpful.

[Stickyfinger]

The coating on anti roll bars breaks up allowing them to rust into the rubber mount for sure.....I nearly lost the rear one due to it.

[demag]

Not sure of the X7 set up but I've known worn dry ball joints creak, ending in disastrous circumstances if not attended to.

[EDC5]

As promised here is a video with the sound, the suspension is on normal, when I set it to med-high the sound is much more difficult to reproduce but that may be just because it's more difficult to rock the car.

Just a note, In the video (out of shot) I'm pushing the car horizontally at the top of the passengers side door.



Any ideas?

[myglaren]

That is very strange.

[RichardW]

I'd be surprised if you don't find that is the lower 'frip' joints....

[EDC5]

I'd be surprised if you don't find that is the lower 'frip' joints....

Is that the thing that looks like a bear claw?

As show in this video?



I was thinking that it might be anti roll bar related as the sound is present on both sides equally. Would disconnecting the ARB drop links and repeating the push test be any good at eliminating the ARB as the source?

[Stickyfinger]

with the wheels on the ground if you can make the Frip joint move (horizontal) then it is worn no question. I would get a leaver bar in there and check before disconnecting stuff.........

[EDC5]

with the wheels on the ground if you can make the Frip joint move (horizontal) then it is worn no question. I would get a leaver bar in there and check before disconnecting stuff.........

How do I check this exactly? By grabbing the top of the wheel and pushing in and out?

The car hasn't even done 60k yet, can they still fail at this relatively low mileage?

[RichardW]

Is that the thing that looks like a bear claw?

That's it. Have a look behind the wheel with it on full lock and see if there is rust around the joint.

The car hasn't even done 60k yet, can they still fail at this relatively low mileage?

Many are needing their second replacement by then - although there is a revised part that is better!

It could be the ARB, but given the propensity of the lower joints to fail and create all sorts of odd noises, I'd go looking there first.

[Stickyfinger]

with the wheels on the ground if you can make the Frip joint move (horizontal) then it is worn no question. I would get a leaver bar in there and check before disconnecting stuff.........

How do I check this exactly? By grabbing the top of the wheel and pushing in and out?

The car hasn't even done 60k yet, can they still fail at this relatively low mileage?

Yes: Part No 14


You can get a long flat lever bar in next to it....I used a crow bar and lever sideways on the hub to see if there is lateral movement, do the testing with the wheels on the ground with wheels turned.