Hi All, my car, an '07 XK 'vert with adaptive suspension, developed a new (and loud) creaking hinge sort of noise whenever the drivers wheel goes over a bump. The noise is on both compression and release. It does not happen on the other side. In the last 4 years I have replaced upper and lower control arms, banana arms, tie rod ends, sway bar links, drivers sway bar bushing, ball joints, and the upper shock mount on the drivers side. Wheels are tight and there is no play when the car is jacked up, so I assume the hub is okay. Steering is normal and responsive. There is no sign of leaking on the shocks, but I have no knowledge of them ever being replaced and it's probably high time they were. I've found an affordable source for new shocks all around, but I'm wondering if the problem could in face be the spring insulators C2D16903? Are these consumables that have to be replaced when the shocks are done? Are they known to fail?

I plan to check the torque specs on all other mounting points on the suspension before I do anything. Anyone have any other ideas on this one?

 

No imo it's not a common fail point. I replaced mine when I bought new shocks for the rear just for peace of mind. It was a bit worn but could have easily gone much further. I think it's just standard practice to replace the when replacing the shock. I had a similar sounding issue as you describe, though it's hard to say with any certainty. Turned out to be the upper control arm bolt on the driver side (rearward) had come loose. I initially tried cheating and tightening it down using a spanner and leaving the ECU in place. Tightened it up and solved the noise problem As you noted, though you're going to re -torque so if it's the same problem, you'll have corrected it.

 

That's where I'll start. Thanks!

 

Exactly the same issue creaking noise right hand side when ever I go over speed bump

Grab the engine from the right side of vehicles and move it left to right and I can hear the same creak ...try it .

​​​​​​So for me it's either the upper strut mount (insulator) or the engine mount which I have tested and it has collapsed.

Makes it quite an easy process then ..swap out the engine mount as I know that is faulty, if the noise is still there well upper strut mount then.

But grabbing your engine and moving left to right interesting to see if yours also replicates the noise

 

Forgot to add how annoying is it with the noise my gosh!!!!! Would rather drive my crappy run about at the moment

 

I forgot to mention that I've already done both engine mounts. I'll definitely try rocking the engine too.

 

Leaves the upper mount then ,

Try rocking it have a good feeling we have the same issue

 

aftermarket banana and straight arms do this. this is exactly why i always buy used front arms

drive it on a four post and shake it down

 

Four Post?

 

 

Mine started doing this after the winter storms. I sprayed everything with a rubber bushing lubricant and its been the quietest in years this time around

 

Mount swapped out ...at this stage creaking disappeared.. will need a proper test drive to determine whether there were two seperate noises or just the one coming from mount

 

The upper mount?

 

He means shock mount - AKA isolator - the same thing you were wondering about in your initial post

 

Thanks for clarifying the above Sean .

So went on a decent test drive no noises probably a good 30min ....however just as I pulled into driveway at above normal speed , there it was again that creaking noise .

So it appears I have had 2 noises one is rectified that is the engine mount, the second noise undetermined I'm also possibly thinking maybe a D rubber from the sway bar or the isolator

 

Gotcha. I'm throwing the car up on a lift tomorrow to take a look and lubricate everything. Will report back.

 

Interesting .... No creaking, so it's appears that it's happening after a prolonged period of driving and when it does appears it's when I go over a speed hump.

Regardless the upper mounts are worn you can hear creaking at the strut towers when turning left to right .... To me it's pointing to a faulty strut now

 

Didn’t you just replace them recently?

 

I'll have check when purchased but they are fairly recent within 3yrs or so... such an odd scenario.. even got the stage where I've got the noise ,park up for the night , come back out the next morning and it's fine to drive....hence why I'm thinking perhaps the oil inside the strut heats up and the viscosity is to thin ???

 

It was my shocks after all. bummer.