Creaking from o/s front corner

[NiceCupOfTea]

Been getting worse and is thoroughly embarrassing now!

I thought I had tracked it down to the rear lower wishbone bush after soaking it with silicone lube (came back after half a mile though), but I have had a go at all the wishbone bushes plus the lower shock bush and the ARB bushes, but it's still creaking...

• am I barking up the wrong tree or is it one of these bushes?
• any suggestions what to look for?
• how difficult to change? Only got the one car ATM so needs to be fixed in one session...
• wheel I need an alignment afterwards?

[attym3]

Top strut bearing is my guess. Does it do it when you turn the steering?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Not especially. Whenever the car is bouncing really. When you get out of the car it does it. If you pull the arch or bounce the wing it creaks.

[attym3]

Hmm, could be a knackered shock. Is there any oil seeping out of it? If not it's a bush I suppose.

Easy way of checking the top strut bearing is to get someone to turn the steering on the spot and you watch the spring. If it stays where it is and then "jumps" around then it's fooked.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Passed an MOT a couple of weeks ago so hopefully not a leaky shock. Would a shock creak? I'm still leaning towards bushes...

[Richyvrlimited]

attym3 said:

Hmm, could be a knackered shock. Is there any oil seeping out of it? If not it's a bush I suppose.

Easy way of checking the top strut bearing is to get someone to turn the steering on the spot and you watch the spring. If it stays where it is and then "jumps" around then it's fooked.

There is no top strut bearing.

And MX5's don't have struts either, it's double wishbone suspension setup. Turning the steering wheel will never make the spring rotate on an MX5.

[attym3]

Richyvrlimited said:

There is no top strut bearing.

And MX5's don't have struts either, it's double wishbone suspension setup. Turning the steering wheel will never make the spring rotate on an MX5.

I didn't know that, I've not had mine long. I suggested it because I had the same problem on my 205 earlier this year. Could still be a knackered shock though, non?

Double wishbone is good though isn't it? Better than McPherson strut?

[MX-5 Lazza]

Sounds like a dry ARB bush to me. Spray a bit of 3-in-one in the bush and see if it goes away.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 28th September 22:00

[Richyvrlimited]

attym3 said:

I didn't know that, I've not had mine long. I suggested it because I had the same problem on my 205 earlier this year. Could still be a knackered shock though, non?

Double wishbone is good though isn't it? Better than McPherson strut?

It's all relative, Porsche don't seem to struggle with a McPherson strut at the front.

But yes in general terms double wishbone is better than McStruts as it keeps the alignment of the wheel in far better check.

[NiceCupOfTea]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Sounds like a dry ARB bush to me. Spray a bit of 3-in-one in the bush and see if it goes away.

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 28th September 22:00

Are they the ones in front of the wheel? There're a couple, and they're smaller than the wishbone bushes. Got a bit of silicone lube on them but will try the 3 in 1 tomorrow, thanks!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Silicon spray is probably better if you can get it in there - I only mentioned 3-in-one because it penetrates into the bush better.

[NiceCupOfTea]

More likely to be the ARB bushes themselves or the drop link bushes?

[MX-5 Lazza]

ARB bushes. Drop links are a possible but they don't usually creak that loudly and when they do they are already dead.

[NiceCupOfTea]

OK, ta. Haven't got to those yet - are they accessible or do I need the undertray off?

[MX-5 Lazza]

I can't remember... I think they are behind the undertray but you can probably get to them with a squirty can from the wheel arches.