You know that massive creaking noise you get from the rear when the top suspension bushes have gone , sounds like an old cart on leaf springs... well I'm getting it from the front !

Any ideas people ?

Could be the ball joints on the front lower suspension arms. When they get worn they can make a creaking noise 56 TDV8 Vogue SE
9 Freelanders, 2x 2002 TD4ES, 2001 TD4, 2002 1.8GS, 2000 XEDI, 2x 2000 1.8ES, 2004 1.8 & 2000 1.8 GS (rolled)
91 Lotus Carlton (sold)
90 Lotus Elan (BRG)

Just replaced the kink shaped arm , the one with the seperate ball joints, on both sides. Couldnt find any play in the other ones but its difficult to get enough force on them to spot play unless they are really knackered. They also have a large bush. Looks like thats the next step...

Its most likely the ball joints, and less likely the arms ... mine is doing exactly the same at the moment ... a very short term fix as per below ...

I punched a hole in the rubber with a small screwdriver and shoved an mtb grease gun in there and packed it with grease. The creaking didn't go until it was driven. I think the bumps of the road allow the ball joint to move in a way which that just turning from side to side doesn't.



Emphasis on the short term fix though ... I'll be ordering a few parts shortly to replace both ball joints, which I'll film as well.

Note: Do not expect dealer dollar work mind in the video ... think more like driveway dollar !!! .. It'll be a bit tongue-n-cheek. V8 or else ...

That is it ! The two ball joints that are screwed in to the hub have just been replaced so it must be the ones in the lower arms. Many thanks for this

Definitely ball joints I'd say, had both sides replaced this year the noise was awful. Only thing I'd have done in hindsight was have both done at the same time and i'd have saved the cost of tracking as it would have only needed doing once. The part wasn't expensive relative to the labour and tracking doing.

Unnecessary quote removed

Great video

Posted whilst holding a large tree but the replacement of the lower ball joints seem to have done the trick. Just front tracking to be checked now but the £70,000 hunters wheel alignment set up at my local kiwi fit is boogered !!