[E55EX_RACER]

Right got a really bad squealing/creaking noise tonight when turning left. Then I noticed it going over speed bumps, uneven roads. I pressed each corner on the front and I got the same noise. So is this the shocks or the springs as well?

What I really wanna know is if the car is driveable like this as I have a job interview tomorrow morning! :eyesup: And is there anything I can do to reduce the noise as it was rather embarassing?

Cheers

 

[andy24stkel]

you could park round the corner and walk to your interview to avoid any unwanted embarassment!!

 

[E55EX_RACER]

LOL...thanks for the help! It's a few buildings up from where I currently work so could park there! :whistling:

 

[andy24stkel]

knew you'd appreciate the advice could be a good excuse to get some lowered shocks and springs :L

 

[interdec]

It's highly likely that you have broken front springs...very common. Less likely that you have knackered shocks making a noise...but you'll have to have a wee gander underneath to see. The springs typically break close to the bottom, about 360 degrees up from the bottom end. Not too difficult to replace yourself if you have the tools and the knowledge, but the suspension is a vital part of your car's safety, so if in doubt, get it done professionally.

Best of luck with the interview too.

 

[E55EX_RACER]

Well if the springs were broken I thought the car should look saggy, which it doesn't and what's the chance of both sides going at the same time?

The car has done 163K miles, 13K of that I've done. I didn't really have much history with the car so don't know when they were last replaced!

Cheers :L

 

[help2003]

I have a creaking noise on my TD cant remember which way it happens when turning, but just had a MOT last month and it was doing it then, and they didnt find nothing wrong with shock or spring

 

[E55EX_RACER]

Well had it looked at earlier and the shocks are shagged, but I knew that anyway!

The noise is coming from a knackered lower ball joint. It looks like it's been caused from the hub nut coming loose and there being quite abit of play when you move the disc :shocked: Had it tightened up and the car is braking alot more sharply as well now...glad I got it looked at. So I need a new lower arm as well, just lucky it weren't the N/S one, that be a pain to change!

Any tips for changing the shocks and springs, I already know about spraying the pinch bolts a few days before hand?

 

[interdec]

The shocks and springs are actually fairly straightforward to replace if you have the diy skills and a haynes book. Once the pinch bolt is out, the rest ain't too difficult. Except....compressing the springs sufficiently and safely, to remove the top. I found I needed four spring compressors to get them down enough, though I saw one go off when a compressor slipped off a few years ago...so I am more cautious than I otherwise might be. Once the spring/shocker is rebuilt, it's just a simple reassembly, and torgue everything back up again. Best of luck.

 

[E55EX_RACER]

Cheers for the advice, how much am I looking at for compressors, ebay ones cheap or should I try the motor shop first?

 

[interdec]

Think I got mine from local motor factor...maybe fifteen quid for a pair!