Creaking/groning front suspension

robbrooks · 3rd April 2024, 12:32

I have spent £750 this year on the front suspension. Two new front shock absorbers and tie rods. My suspension still creaks and groans!
New tie rods and shock absorbers were replaced. I'm not complaining as the car feels much better as its the first time in almost 22 years that these parts have been changed. The roads and pot-holes don't help of course, but I would like to get to the bottom of the noises.
Think I will have to go along to a meet to have my car checked over by a Rover suspension expert!

pletevl · 3rd April 2024, 12:34

Sounds like a dry ball joint, mine did this, needed a new bottom arm.

Pete.

xsport · 3rd April 2024, 15:21

Never had creaky suspension in all the years with the rover. I have had reason to change the front top mounts a couple of times. They dont seat very well on the spring tops and can dig in . Some of these springs aftermarket now, are never finished correctly at the tops and bottoms ,so i have seen. It is probably what your problem is . New top mounts and rubbers ,will quiet it down ,but will return again soon. I hope that you sort out the source of the noise and let us all know . Next time ,when you are parked up away from a kerb, try turning the steering wheel to left full lock and then full right and see if the noise is there...

Mike Noc · 3rd April 2024, 22:17

As mentioned the lower arm outer ball joint can creak and groan. Come across this twice over the years.

robbrooks · 4th April 2024, 10:50

thanks for all your comments- much appreciated. The top mounts were supplied by ex Rover dealer mechanic from Clemos in Cleakheaton. He now owns Retro Sports Cars in Brighouse, where I have been taking the car for the last 3yr. He's been very good. Think the last repair may have been the wrong solution to my creaking and a dry ball joint does sound like what it is. Spraying with WD stops it, but this doesn't last

bl52krz · 5th April 2024, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsport

Never had creaky suspension in all the years with the rover. I have had reason to change the front top mounts a couple of times. They dont seat very well on the spring tops and can dig in . Some of these springs aftermarket now, are never finished correctly at the tops and bottoms ,so i have seen. It is probably what your problem is . New top mounts and rubbers ,will quiet it down ,but will return again soon. I hope that you sort out the source of the noise and let us all know . Next time ,when you are parked up away from a kerb, try turning the steering wheel to left full lock and then full right and see if the noise is there...

I have been driving for around 65 years, and one of the things that stuck in my mind was what I was told by a master mechanic. Never turn the steering wheel while the car is standing still. He explained that the strain put on the steering joints when doing so is horrendous. His words, not mine. And guess what, I never have.

3rd April 2024, 12:32	#1
robbrooks Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT,160 remap: owner since new in December 2002: Mileage: June22 143,000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 633 Thanks: 324 Thanked 102 Times in 67 Posts	Creaking/groning front suspension I have spent £750 this year on the front suspension. Two new front shock absorbers and tie rods. My suspension still creaks and groans! New tie rods and shock absorbers were replaced. I'm not complaining as the car feels much better as its the first time in almost 22 years that these parts have been changed. The roads and pot-holes don't help of course, but I would like to get to the bottom of the noises. Think I will have to go along to a meet to have my car checked over by a Rover suspension expert!

4th April 2024, 10:50	#5
robbrooks Gets stuck in Rover 75 CDT,160 remap: owner since new in December 2002: Mileage: June22 143,000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 633 Thanks: 324 Thanked 102 Times in 67 Posts	thanks for all your comments- much appreciated. The top mounts were supplied by ex Rover dealer mechanic from Clemos in Cleakheaton. He now owns Retro Sports Cars in Brighouse, where I have been taking the car for the last 3yr. He's been very good. Think the last repair may have been the wrong solution to my creaking and a dry ball joint does sound like what it is. Spraying with WD stops it, but this doesn't last Last edited by robbrooks; 4th April 2024 at 11:04..

3rd April 2024, 12:34	#2
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	Sounds like a dry ball joint, mine did this, needed a new bottom arm. Pete.

3rd April 2024, 15:21	#3
xsport Posted a thing or two rover 75 club se Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 358 Thanked 419 Times in 310 Posts	Never had creaky suspension in all the years with the rover. I have had reason to change the front top mounts a couple of times. They dont seat very well on the spring tops and can dig in . Some of these springs aftermarket now, are never finished correctly at the tops and bottoms ,so i have seen. It is probably what your problem is . New top mounts and rubbers ,will quiet it down ,but will return again soon. I hope that you sort out the source of the noise and let us all know . Next time ,when you are parked up away from a kerb, try turning the steering wheel to left full lock and then full right and see if the noise is there...

3rd April 2024, 22:17	#4
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,555 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	As mentioned the lower arm outer ball joint can creak and groan. Come across this twice over the years.