Suspension is "creeking and popping"

[USN_Lifer]

Has anyone ever heard of this? I just had an alignment and new tires put on about 3 weeks ago. Now I notice different creeking sounds coming from (mostly) the front end. It's more noticeable whenever I'm backing up and have the wheel turned. Any thoughts?

[fastblackmerc]

Maybe they didn't tighten everything enough? It's always a good idea to retorque your lug nuts after they have been removed & you've driven about 10-30 miles. 100 ft lbs is what I use.

[STLR FN]

I have the same thing, except mine creeks no matter what even when I close the door.

You will be told to check the hood bumpers as they will be the cause. :rolleyes:

I have to get mine realigned as Sear's didn't have theright adapters for the wheels. Once I have it done I will ask the tech about it.
Has anyone ever heard of this? I just had an alignment and new tires put on about 3 weeks ago. Now I notice different creeking sounds coming from (mostly) the front end. It's more noticeable whenever I'm backing up and have the wheel turned. Any thoughts?

[Warpath]

There was another thread discussing a popping noise and it turned out to be a broken upper shock mount if I remember correctly. Squeeks are usually hood related.

[Mad4Macs]

I had a sound best described as something "binding, then releasing".
Dealer said it was due to "front links", whatever they are.

[Brutus]

I am very curious about this myself. My 2000 Crown Vic does this same thing just as described. Always when backing up with the wheel turned and going over a bump at the same time.

[merc6]

I heard every crown vic PI and now my MM do this...

[USN_Lifer]

I just think it's strange that it just started after having a front end alignment. I've owned it for 2 years and it never made a sound until now.

[94_302]

I had that creaking/poping that would occur when the wheel was turned or driving at low speeds you might hear a pop. It turned out to be the drivers side shock and the spring insulator. My aftermarket warranty covered it. :rock:

[MM2004]

My '89 GM did this and ended up being an outer tie rod end.

Might wanna' get this one checked???

Mike.


I am very curious about this myself. My 2000 Crown Vic does this same thing just as described. Always when backing up with the wheel turned and going over a bump at the same time.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

I am very curious about this myself. My 2000 Crown Vic does this same thing just as described. Always when backing up with the wheel turned and going over a bump at the same time.

That might be the steering bump stops or something like that. All you have to do is grease them. I took my car in for something else and just asked them to check on the noise and found out later all they added was some grease. It something you have to do regulary because the grease just wipe off over time.

[baltimoremm]

i have the same creaks, one set of creaks disappeared when i adjusted the hood stops, but the other set of creaks is definitley susp related, had it since about 30k. same popping noise occurs too when pulling into or backing out of a parking spot. i've had it up on the rack quite a few times but havent been able to figure out what it was. PM me if you get a diagnosis -Nate

[Mike M]

Look for the following....

1) Steering stops out of grease.

2) Outter tie rods are dry and rusty, replace!

3) Not as common...lower ball joints dry and rusty, replace!

[greggash]

My Car sounded like a creaky old car when pulling into the driveway.
and it progressivly got worse, till I could hear it when I hit small bumps in the road.

Well, I used silicone spray (good for rubber) and sprayed just 4 spots
where the front suspension had rubber parts with thru bolts

The squeak went away after about a mile of driving to get it worked in a bit I guess

If that is all it needs to keep theese parts quiet, I will do it at every oil change

[Warpath]

My Car sounded like a creaky old car when pulling into the driveway.
and it progressivly got worse, till I could hear it when I hit small bumps in the road.

Well, I used silicone spray (good for rubber) and sprayed just 4 spots
where the front suspension had rubber parts with thru bolts

The squeak went away after about a mile of driving to get it worked in a bit I guess

If that is all it needs to keep theese parts quiet, I will do it at every oil change

That probably means the bolts/nuts are not tight enough. You shouldn't grease a bolted joint. The purpose of the bolt is to clamp the component tight enough so that it doesn't move. Greasing it allows it to move and will eventually loosen the bolt some more. A bolted joint that is loose will eventually break the bolt.

[Mad4Macs]

I sure hope none of you guys voted "I'm satisfied with the quality of my car", because that's NOT what 2 year old vehicles are supposed to sound like!

:lol:

[merc6]

anybody get the coilovers and still had that issue?

[Master]

I agree with Joe. Get it checked! My 03 had this problem from about the 3rd month of driving on. Took forever to find the problem. Turned out to be a stripped shock mount in the rear end. They had to hole saw the trunk to get at this component (it was that or demount the frame from the body). I was horrified to see them cutting a 2 1/2" hole in my car and said as much. Buddy on the counter at Ford made a comment about "it'll still drive the same" when I let him have it with both barrels. Anyway, that's another story. They replaced the stripped component and the car hasn't made a clunk or click since. Another item that was making noises whenever I went from forward to reverse (or was it the other way-round) was the park brake cable. It would keep coming out of its receptacle and making a thwacking noise. That took about three trips to the dealer to finally resolve as well.
I hate to dump on these cars as I really like them (wouldn't have bought one ontherwise, would I). It just seems that the build quality is a bit substandard. That really hurts as I'm bashing my fellow Canadians who are out there building these beasts. Sorry guys.

DSF

[Canadasvt]

my fellow Canadians


Hey there Master. Welcome to the site and MM ownership. Where up here are you from?

:beer:

[SergntMac]

Sorry I can't contribute anything here. I hear more creaks and pops just getting out of bed in the morning. My Marauder is much younger than me, but we weight about the same, and the mileage is...Ummm...Relative?

[Blackened300a]

I just recently noticed the popping sound in the front end. I hear it mostly when I first start the car and make my first turn, then I dont hear it for the rest of the day.
As for the hood Squeak, Its Driving me Nuts!!! Do I screw it out to make more contact on the hood and lift it a little?, or do I screw it down to where it makes slight contact??
Not to Hijack the Thread, but since Front end noises are the topic, Ill need the advice
Thanks

[hbarrett]

My 2000 CV did the same thing until I learned that the steering stops have to be lubricated by hand, only takes a minute to do every couple of months. Never made any more noise (creaking/grinding) when turning while going over an uneven surface. I don't know that it is the same problem you are having, but I had the same problem and fix with my 1995 Imp SS too.
I am very curious about this myself. My 2000 Crown Vic does this same thing just as described. Always when backing up with the wheel turned and going over a bump at the same time.

[USN_Lifer]

UPDATE:

I took the car to the dealer before Christmas and after a day of messing with it they decided the shock mount insulators needed to be replaced. Now it isn't as noticeable, definately quieter, but still not 100% quiet. The rearend noise was caused by the parking brake cable. They fixed that with no problems.

Oh yeah, when they had it on the rack they noticed my rack-n-pinion unit was leaking so they had to order a complete new one and replace it. Bonus.

[USN_Lifer]

2nd UPDATE:

It only took two months and the sound is back louder than ever. So I guess the shock mount insulators were not the problem. I took the car back this week, they examined it for a day and figured out that several of the body mount bolts and other bolts in the front end were not tightened to spec. So that was their answer. I picked the car up after hours, drove it home, and it started making the same noise immediately! UGGGHH! So, it's back in their hands AGAIN. This is the 3rd attempt to get this right. Hopefully something will be found. It's hard to believe this is "normal".

[magindat]

I am very curious about this myself. My 2000 Crown Vic does this same thing just as described. Always when backing up with the wheel turned and going over a bump at the same time.

Sounds like CV joints....

:stupid:






Recently had an aftermarket warranty salesman tell me his warranty covered my CV joints. I just hung up.

[JMan]

Lifer,
With your car out in the sun, turn the wheel full right and shut off the car. On the driver's side, look from the rear of the front wheel at the lower control arm. There might be a mark about a inch or two inward on the arm where the stop on the spindle contacts it. The marked area may even be a little rusty! Rub a finger full of white lithium or marine grease on the contact patch. Reset and do the other side. Hopefully that will allow you to drive in pleasure and keep you away from the dealership!

Best luck,

J

[Pantherman]

Jman, we need to point out that greasing the external steering stops only applies to 2002 and earlier cars. The newer cars have rack and pinion steering with no external stops.

[JMan]

Jman, we need to point out that greasing the external steering stops only applies to 2002 and earlier cars. The newer cars have rack and pinion steering with no external stops.

Good Job! This moron didn't bother to go look. Having had four previous panthers, I assumed these had them also. DUH! Sorry if I caused any undue strains 'Lifer'. Maybe I should check my c/v joints!

J (a.k.a. Dumbass)

:stupid: