Check If The Clunk Is A Known Issue
First, search online for any Technical Service Bulletins for your car that pertain to the noise. These bulletins are issued by automakers for known problems and often include options to fix your car, such as redesigned suspension parts. There are several sites online where you can search by your cars make and model or VIN for outstanding TSBs. Alternately, you can always call your dealership as they should have all of the up-to-date TSBs for the marques they sell.
Suspension clatter is a common problem which generates quite a few TSBs. Some of these entitle you to get the clunk fixed for free, while others may say that the noise is simply a characteristic of the vehicle and should be accepted as normal. Regardless, this is a good place to start.
Creaking Sound Over Speed Bumps
Hello all,
Ive noticed a creaking sound coming from the left front wheel when I go over a couple of particularly large speed bumps. I have had a lot of problems with the suspension in this car, and have replaced the front struts, the front right control arm, and the sway bar links and bushings. My best guess is that this noise is coming from the front left control arm, as it has not been replaced, although my current mechanic says that the front left control arm is fine. Also, it has been under 10 F here the past few days, so this could also just be a result of the cold weather.
Video of the noise:
Thanks!
I wouldn t touch it unless it remains when the weather warms up. Stuff shrinks & moves in cold weather, especially the rubber bushings & plastic parts.
Id bet on it. Cold weather creaks are normal. Cars are so full of elastomeric bushings & seals, as well as plasstic parts, that creaking is not at all unusual in bone-cold weather. The worst that might happen is a seal in a atrut might let go and leak, or something like that, but nothing thatll present any immediate safety concerns. Seals that let go in cold weather are often on their way out anyway.
Not to worry.
My car squeaks a bit too going over speedbumps. If this concerns you, no harm to ask your mechanic to do a visual inspection of the suspension system. Your mechanic should be able to rule-out any major problems.
Tester
How To Diagnose A Creaking Suspension
Creaking Noise when turning diagnose
If youre not sure whats causing the noise, there are a few things you can do to try to diagnose the problem. One thing you can do is take your car for a test drive. If the noise is only present while driving, the problem is likely with the shocks or struts.
Another thing you can do is take your car to a professional suspension shop. They should be able to take a look at your car and give you an estimate of the repairs.
If youre still unsure of whats causing the noise, you can try to troubleshoot the problem yourself. There are a few things you can check to see if the problem is with the shocks or struts. One thing you can do is check the shock absorbers.
If theyre leaking, they may need to be replaced. Another thing you can do is to check the springs. If theyre worn out, they may need to be replaced.
Suspension Squeaking Creaking Sound
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For Squeaking Ball Joints
Ball joints are generally hard wearing, but they can become loose or damaged if the suspension takes a lot of hits. Equally, they can become damaged by weathering or caustic substances reaching them. The ball itself sits inside a casing which needs to be well lubricated. If there is a leak or some other problem you will not only need to lubricate the joint, but also fix the leak.
One of the reasons why the ball joint might leak is because of a broken rubber boot/dust cover. Many people think they will need to get a new ball joint, but you can buy new rubber boots easily. They come in packs of various sizes, so you will just need to try the one which fits best. Grease the joint while you have taken the old rubber boot off and then attach the new one.
Diagnosing Worn Or Damaged Control Arms
Control arms tend to wear out on vehicles over time during normal road conditions. Most vehicles are driven on other areas rather than just on roads. Most operators tend to think that cars are like trucks and can take off-road adventures with no problems. This results in wearing out the suspension parts more frequently.
Materials Needed
Step 1: Grab a flashlight and visually check the control arms of the vehicle. Look for any damaged or broken control arms or related suspension parts.
- Note: If you see any broken suspension parts, you will need to have it repaired prior to test driving the vehicle. This would result is a safety matter that needs to be addressed.
Step 2: Drive the vehicle around the block. Listen for any clunking noises.
Step 3: Drive the vehicle over bumps or potholes. This checks the condition of the suspension as the tires and suspension moves around.
Step 4: Step on the brakes hard and accelerate hard from a stop. This will check for any horizontal movement within the suspension system. A loose control arm bushing may not transmit noise when in normal operation, but can move around during a hard stop and fast take off.
- Note: If your vehicle has been in an accident before, the control arms could be set back on the frame to fix an alignment issue. The set back can result in problems with the control arms coming loose or deteriorating the bushing faster than normal.
Preparing the vehicle to check the control arms
Materials Needed
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Why It Helps To Identify Trouble
The trouble with suspension noise is its unlikely to be a consistent thing. In the past Ive had problems with car suspension thats only shown itself going over speed humps. And then theyve had to be speed humps of a certain height!
The quickest way for a garage to identify the fault is if you can show or tell them when a noise happens or give them a clue which side the noise is coming from and when.
Clunking Noise When Going Over Bumps Rear
If you hear those annoying clunking noises when going over bumps, it means that something is wrong with the suspension system. These are the areas to check the next time you hear these sounds on the road. Worn or Damaged Struts. When struts are damaged, the strut shocks fail to perform as they should.Mar 12, 2021
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Is Squeaky Suspension Dangerous
Now that weve gone over some of the most common causes of squeaky sounds arising from your suspension system, especially after running over bumps, lets tackle the big question are these issues dangerous?
Well, that will depend on the nature and severity of the issue. While squeaky suspension is never good, as you can see from the list above, it can cover a wide range of conditions.
If the only thing thats at fault is a ball joint or rubber bushing being a bit worn down, thats easily fixed or replaced, and as long as you catch it in time, shouldnt be too dangerous.
However, if it is a broken axle, or a problem with your steering wheel or serpentine belt, youll need to buckle up the path toward repairing that damage is likely to be a bumpy ride.
Regardless of the severity, you should never think that squeaky suspension is something you can live with. For one thing, you may not know the immediate cause of the squeaking, and even if you do, the severity of the issue can escalate in a hurry. If you hear squeaking, especially if it comes after going over bumpy terrain, you should stop at home or the nearest car repair center and inspect the issue yourself or have your car checked out.
Why Does My Front End Rattle Over Bumps
If you usually hear a rattling noise when driving over bumps, theres a good chance it could be the sway bar links. Grab the end of the sway bar link with both hands and wiggle it up and down.
Internal shock or strut noise is uncommon. The most common cause for clunking noises over bumps is the mounts or attaching parts. Other suspension and steering components often cause noises that the shocks / struts get blamed for: Ball joints, sway bar bushings & links are common causes.
When I go over bumps I hear the same nose as above or a rattling sound like something is loose. My car has 116800 miles. My car has an automatic transmission.
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Why You Should Get It Fixed
When a part of your suspension fails, the car is highly unlikely to collapse onto the road. But if a suspension part does fail, it will put greater strain on other components. Although these might pick up the slack in the short term, it will prompt increased wear.
Whats more, suspension is viewed as an important safety component. If there are problems with it, your car will fail its MOT test.
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Why Does My Cars Suspension Make A Clunking Noise
If you hear a clunk when the suspension works over bumps, you may have excessive clearance in a joint due to wear. It might be as simple as a loose nut on the strut, or something more subtle such as a shrunken, dried-out rubber bushing. First, search online for any Technical Service Bulletins for your car that pertain to the noise.
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Replace The Bushings And Rubber Mounts
Both of these components are made primarily of rubber. Therefore, ifyou spot any cracks or signs of wear, the best course of action is to replace them completely. You can dothis by yourself simply unscrew the cap, take the bushing out, replace it witha new one and screw the cap back on.
Depending on the level of damage, you might not need to actually replace a bushing or a mount. If there are minor signs of wear, simple lubrication might do the trick. Naturally, the best way to lubricate a bushing is to take it out, but you can also do it with the bushing still inside. All you need is a lubricant bottle with a long nozzle that reaches into tight spaces and holes.
How To Troubleshoot A Car That Makes Clunking Noises Over Bumps
If you drive over bumps and hear a clunking sound, there is a good possibility that something important is wrong with your car. Frequently, the suspension system is at fault when you hear a clunk sound.
Clunking noises that happen when you drive your car over bumps could be from the following:
- Worn or damaged struts
- Worn or damaged leaf spring shackles
- Worn or damaged control arms
- Damaged or broken ball joints
- Damaged or broken shock absorbers
- Loose or damaged body mounts
When it comes to diagnosing a clunking noise when driving over bumps, a road test is required to determine the sound. Before you take the vehicle on a road test, you need to walk around the vehicle to ensure that there is nothing falling off the vehicle. Look underneath to see if any parts to the vehicle has broken off. If something is broken on the vehicle that is safety related, you will need to address the item first before conducting a road test. Also, be sure to check the tire pressure. This keeps the vehicle from overheating the tires and allows you to do a correct test.
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Is Your Cars Knocking Noise Visible Or Hidden
If your car is making a knocking noise when driving over bumps, here are five components to look at before you bring it in to your mechanic.
Before we dive into the diagnosis, I need to let you know that not all noises are easy to find. Some are hidden in internal components that arent easily visible, for example struts and steering racks. Video and pictures tell a thousand words and I will be using them throughout this article.
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Damaged Steering Column Bearing
Think of steering column bearing as the bodys spinal column.
Its ends are connected to the steering gear assembly and steering wheel. It provides a cushion to ensure that the two parts last longer for a smoother and less stressful drive.
Turning becomes difficult when it wears down. It also comes with strange noises which means your car probably needs some checking.
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Worn Or Loose Tire Rods
Tire rods are an important part of the system since they connect the steering arm to the steering rack. They also connect tire direction with the turn of the steering wheel.
This lets drivers have control over their vehicles. So, the tie rods definitely need to be checked if you hear clunking noises.
Reasons Your Car Makes Creaking Noise When Turning
Car owners know there shouldnt be any noises from the steering wheel when making a turn.
When there are, it can mean theres a problem in the steering and suspension systems of your car. Putting stress will just wear the parts more and cause more rubbing or groaning sounds.
These sounds can be signs of a serious problem so they shouldnt be ignored. The two systems work together to let the steering wheels turn your tires, so ignoring them can cause trouble.
If your car makes creaking noise when turning, this article will tell you why. And hopefully, it will help your car run as smoothly as it did before.
Contents
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How To Identify The Problem
It is very difficult to identify which bushing or ball joint is causing the squeaking noise. Most of the time, when the vehicle is still, the suspension does not move the way it does when it is running. This makes it much harder to identify the part that is causing the problem.
Here is some help to try to identify a suspension problem in your car:
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Block all the 4 wheels to make sure that the car does not roll away.
- Ask a friend to bounce every corner of the vehicle. Make sure that the cars body panel does not get damaged or dented during the process.
- The car should rock so that you can hear the squeaking noise. You may need to bump, push, pull and bounce to actually create the squeak that you hear while driving.
By doing this, you will at least be able to narrow down the area from where the noise is coming. If you hear a noise when the wheel is turned, it is possible you have a problem with a worn out control arm. Ask someone to turn the steering wheel with the car safely parked. If you hear the squeaking coming from here, then this is more likely than a suspension problem .
You can tell if ball joints are bad or are worn by noticing if you have uneven wear in your tires. This will lead to your car pulling in one direction or the other. Uneven wear can be a symptom of various problems, not only suspension. Check with your mechanic to confirm what it might be.
What Side Of The Vehicle Is The Noise Coming From
The most important part of identifying where the noise is coming from is to remember that turning side doesnt mean location. Just because a noise happens when you turn in a direction, doesnt mean that the source of the problem is on that specific side of your vehicle.
This is because turning your vehicle changes the position of the load: if youre turning left, your right tire/wheel/CV joint is also turning left. The load is shifting and therefore reveals if any of your supports are starting to fail.
If you think the noise is only coming from one specific area of the vehicle, you can do a few physical checks to confirm. For instance, if you swear you only hear the noise from the front passenger side tire, you can try to recreate the noise by rocking your tire back and forth.
If you can recreate the sound by rocking the tire, you can confirm the general location of the noise. This makes it easier to explain the issue when you bring your car back into the shop.
That being said, harmonics are a huge factor. A noise can sound completely different or have a different location depending on whether or not youre testing on the road or in a garage, so do keep that in mind.
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Steering Wheel Control Arm
While the most likely problem when your car squeaks going over bumps is to due with suspension, there are other issues. The problem might actually be close to where you are seated. The steering wheel control arm might be loose or faulty. When you go over a bump, the force causes the wheel to squeak. You can try to listen closer to the steering wheel, although it can be difficult to know where the squeak is coming from.
Creaking Noise When Going Over Bumps
I have a Honda Civic 2010 LX that only has 68K miles.
When I go over speed bumps slowly or let the car down from the jack, it makes this creaking noise that seems to come from the front end.
Any ideas what this can be? Is it dangerous to drive?
Thanks!
In my experience, creaking noises are usually caused by a handful of things: worn bushings, worn ball joints, worn strut mount or components, or worn sway bar components. Basically, anything that pivots or moves can be a culprit.
Your Civic uses struts in the front, so it has fewer moving parts than some other vehicles with control arms.
You will need to get your hands dirty to know for sure and diagnose further. Jack up the vehicle. Any obvious visual wear? Does the sway bar move if you grab it and try to move it? Are the ball joint boots or sway bar link boots ripped?
Whether it’s safe to drive, you can determine if it’s unsafe by seeing if there’s any play or movement in the suspension parts. You can grab the wheel and try to move it back and forth, top and bottom and see if anything gives. If any of the boots are torn, they are on borrowed time.
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