[Mal]

Hi folks
The cars done 176K without any major dramas fortunately, however there's now an intermittent knocking and creaking noise  coming from the front left somewhere ?
I've been under it and looked around, pushed and pulled and waggled everything without finding anything really specific.
One thing I have noticed is some play in the CV joint at the wheel hub.
I checked against the drivers side to compare this and there appears to be almost zero play there.

Could this be the culprit I wonder ?           

Question - has anyone else experienced a similar fault ?

Also, totally unconnected but in the same area, the park light bulb has blown.
You would think an easy one to replace but I cant seem to get this little bulb out.
Other than its in a very awkward position behind battery I can at least remove the main beam bulb but while I can get my fingers on the cables and fitting to turn and even pull on this little devil it wont come out ?

Any help on these problems would be appreciated please ?

Many thanks in advance

Mal
Perth WA
Australia

 



   
   

[Dazzler]

Hi Mal, I can't help but hopefully one of our gurus can.

[Mal]

Hi Dazzler
that would be good.
Not being able to remove that little bulb is a killer.
I would hate to apply too much pressure with pliers and bust it when a twist or turn could remove it !
Somtimes you think youve tried it all but you havent !
Mal     

[tw2005]

Hi Dazzler
that would be good.
Not being able to remove that little bulb is a killer.
I would hate to apply too much pressure with pliers and bust it when a twist or turn could remove it !
Somtimes you think youve tried it all but you havent !
Mal   

Remove the headlamp assembly, two bolts on top, one tucked inside the engine bay, left lower corner as you face the unit, main wiring harness caould be a second one, forget now. It'll be fun for ya.

[Hati]

I had the same noise on my FD. I could reproduce it at times (not always) by pushing the car down from above the front wheel. The noise was random(ish) could not put the finger onto what exactly it takes to trigger it. I thought that it sounds like coming from the top of the suspension tower. Then I sold it so didn't need to worry about it any more.

[Mal]

Hi Hati
That sounds like the fault I have !
I've teed up a mechanic twice now and the noise just disappears before he tests it.
Yet the previous day it sounds like a bearing has fallen to pieces and the bits are bumping around somewhere and also something 'creaking' indicating something in the suspension is bone dry.
I'm clutching at straws on this one as other than the CV joint play I can see anything wrong ????
The bulb ?
I'm guessing you have to just grab it with pliers and pull until it comes out or something breaks ?????
However I find it hard to believe the design could be that simplistic.
Not even a twist out or bayonet fitting ?
Its all a mystery ?????

Mal
       
   

[eye30]

Hi Dazzler
that would be good.
Not being able to remove that little bulb is a killer.
I would hate to apply too much pressure with pliers and bust it when a twist or turn could remove it !
Somtimes you think youve tried it all but you havent !
Mal   

Remove the headlamp assembly, two bolts on top, one tucked inside the engine bay, left lower corner as you face the unit, main wiring harness caould be a second one, forget now. It'll be fun for ya.

As an fd model think you have to loosen the front and move it slightly forward then loosen/remove the headlight unit.

[Hati]

I was going to partially unbolt the top of the suspension, the three studs in the engine bay, just enough to be able to squirt some CRC or lithium grease up in there and see if it helps. Could also be the spring rotating (maybe) a little (a mm or two) in the top cup... It sounded two high up on my car to be coming from any of the bushes  (which was my first guess) hence the reasoning above.

[Dazzler]

The bulb ?
I'm guessing you have to just grab it with pliers and pull until it comes out or something breaks ?????
However I find it hard to believe the design could be that simplistic.
Not even a twist out or bayonet fitting ?
Its all a mystery ?????

Mal
   

Hi Mal

I believe they are very tight, but just pull straight out, don't try and twist them you'll  leave the broken base in there!

[tw2005]

I've already given one good tip to make it easier, and there is only one connector but FYI the holder simply pulls out and so does the bulb.  With the assembly removed I used two fingers to pull it straight out but if you're constricted and pulling on an angle it'll probably be harder. Can't help much more than that.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Gerard,  Mal and I must have missed that. ..

[Mal]

Many thanks TW - 
That's exactly the bulb I'm talking about and the info I needed - great to hear from you.
Any ideas re the knocking ?
I had another mechanic look at it yesterday and he's at a loss at the moment too.
It comes and goes but at least he did hear it this time.
He believes its not the drive shaft CV as it would clonk on full lock but  ... ?
Nothing seems to effect it, just an intermittent knock, (not regular pulses), from the front end as you drive along. I've taken it out of drive on a shallow hill and it still there.
Seems to get worse and then the following morning disappear and later come back.
Its even not been heard for a day but always returns ?

Thanks for the strut idea too Hati. The creaking I also heard seems to point that way but its no longer making that noise ?

 
Mal                   
       

[Dazzler]

Without re-reading the who thread could it be the dreaded "$5" worn steering bush? Noises can travel...

[Mal]

Hi Dazzler
I cant cancell anything out at the moment and any suggestions are gratefully accepted so thanks for that.
The weird part is it comes and goes.
Complately quiet maybe for a 20 k trip then its starts the next journey ?
My mechanic hopes it will get worse and then we can find it. I might have gone nuts by then !            

[Dazzler]

Yes Mal, intermittent faults are very frustrating and I hate rattles or knocks with a vengeance! 

[The Gonz]

Funny thing about rattles and squeaks, Dazz. I had fine tuned the elevation of my dash mounted GPS using a cellophane wrapped pack of playing cards. Recently I decided to add extra weight to the GPS frame by attaching an old Pentium chip complete with heatsink as its base, replacing the playing cards. Squeaks I didn't even know I had ... vanished. I guess you could say I finally aced it.

[Dazzler]

My FD had a couple of rattles at times which I isolated, but the PD is all good at the moment. 

[Mal]

Hi folks
I just thought I would update you on the situation.
The knocking is still there, but I'm beginning to wonder exactly were its coming from.
I honestly believed it was from the front left but according to my son yesterday, he believes its clearly from the right side ?

The bulb situation has been resolved.
Like many of these small things once you've done the job you find out how easy it is.
The trick to help anyone else that maybe attempting this replacement is simply to make a little space to work in by removing the the main beam bulb.
Get some long nose pliers and grip the holder firmly but carefully and withdrawer directly from it's socket.
I did that by using a fulcrum (a solid rag) and levered against it so the load was directly perpendicular to the holder.Consequently it popped straight out quiet easily in fact !
Simple when you know how as always.
Very many thanks to all those that contribute to this forum, its a great way to learn from others experience.   

Mal                         

[The Gonz]

It's really sounding like that steering bush now!

[nzenigma]

For some reason...the left front transmits a lot of road and tyre noise .
Its probable that the LH strut has a  knock. It may not be a major issue at this stage due to the  former noise issue. Would go with your mechanic and wait., 

[timmmmm]

I can’t help with the source of the knocking, but I’ll be watching with interest. My 2008 model creaks and rattles so bad from the front end, you’d swear it was gonna drop onto the road any second. But I’ve had it at 2 mechanics, including a specialist suspension guy, and of course, it’s all good when they’re testing it. The only thing that puts me at ease is they both said there’s nothing broken or loose, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
I was thinking about a trip to the dealership as a last straw, but I’ll think about that first.
I kind of thought the groaning was a result of the fairly high mileage - 365000 ks and counting...


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[nzenigma]

I was thinking about a trip to the dealership as a last straw, but I’ll think about that first.

  Think hard my friend, especially think about your bank balance.

I kind of thought the groaning was a result of the fairly high mileage - 365000 ks and counting...

  365k ,  Now that's a testimonial for our brilliant FDs.

I have replaced the odd strut that has had an internal knock.
The front end is easy to work on, and you could find a lot of low ks parts at the wreckers.
For squeaks from rubber etc. Get under and progressively spray areas with WD40. See if anything gets quiet (temporary but will lead you to the culprit).

[Mal]

Thanks again folks - 
There's some good thinking there, especially the WD40 idea.
I was going to jack up the front to extend the struts, lift the damper rod boots and apply some WD on the extended rods in case that may help ?
To be honest though, I'm not sure of the construction of the dampers and it may never actually get into the internals through seals etc and therefore do nothing !
I will however have a go at those bushes. I've already pushed and pulled with no result but when the cars weight is on them its a diffrent  matter. 
Also that steering arm bush ?
I've heard of this giving grief before, so as its now become a matter of checking everything and its got to be a logical starting point.   
I will get into that ASAP.
As far as 'leave it till it gets worse', when its knocking and creaking etc. you feel like stopping.
At the moment I really don't feel like doing any long trips till this problems solved which is hard as in WA almost everywhere is along trip !       

 
Hopefully Ill have some good news to report soon.       

[mickd]

I can’t help with the source of the knocking, but I’ll be watching with interest. My 2008 model creaks and rattles so bad from the front end, you’d swear it was gonna drop onto the road any second. But I’ve had it at 2 mechanics, including a specialist suspension guy, and of course, it’s all good when they’re testing it. The only thing that puts me at ease is they both said there’s nothing broken or loose, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
I was thinking about a trip to the dealership as a last straw, but I’ll think about that first.
I kind of thought the groaning was a result of the fairly high mileage - 365000 ks and counting...


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@timmmmm

Timmmmm,
You've got your money's worth out of that one.   
Maybe you should contact HY Aust to see if they want her to display on her 10th birthday, or at 400,000 km and let the poor old girl have a  rest.  👍

[nzenigma]

Mick well said 

[tw2005]

I can’t help with the source of the knocking, but I’ll be watching with interest. My 2008 model creaks and rattles so bad from the front end, you’d swear it was gonna drop onto the road any second. But I’ve had it at 2 mechanics, including a specialist suspension guy, and of course, it’s all good when they’re testing it. The only thing that puts me at ease is they both said there’s nothing broken or loose, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
I was thinking about a trip to the dealership as a last straw, but I’ll think about that first.
I kind of thought the groaning was a result of the fairly high mileage - 365000 ks and counting...


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@timmmmm

Timmmmm,
You've got your money's worth out of that one.   
Maybe you should contact HY Aust to see if they want her to display on her 10th birthday, or at 400,000 km and let the poor old girl have a  rest.  👍

I've seen one over 400000K for sale. Quit amazing. Diesel of course.

[tw2005]

Thanks again folks - 
There's some good thinking there, especially the WD40 idea.
I was going to jack up the front to extend the struts, lift the damper rod boots and apply some WD on the extended rods in case that may help ?
To be honest though, I'm not sure of the construction of the dampers and it may never actually get into the internals through seals etc and therefore do nothing !
I will however have a go at those bushes. I've already pushed and pulled with no result but when the cars weight is on them its a diffrent  matter. 
Also that steering arm bush ?
I've heard of this giving grief before, so as its now become a matter of checking everything and its got to be a logical starting point.   
I will get into that ASAP.
As far as 'leave it till it gets worse', when its knocking and creaking etc. you feel like stopping.
At the moment I really don't feel like doing any long trips till this problems solved which is hard as in WA almost everywhere is along trip !       

 
Hopefully Ill have some good news to report soon.       

groans I'd be doing the sway bar bushes. Mine does it after a bit of driving and heats up. Also watch for separation of the metal tube from the rubber within the bush. I've had that too but not on my car but the wagon. Already rebushed and done the shocks on my hatch. The bushes were not that bad, done now.

[nzenigma]

@Mal & tmmmmm

You mention LH side noise. That is the side that cops abuse from pot holes etc. Therefore it could be the strut. Try jacking the car up a bit then lower it, this may put the components through the noise range while you are nearby (hydraulic jack is best-quicker) .
The WD40 will be a guide only and will wash out eventually.
tw's comments about bushes are on the money, this is where the WD40 will be
handy.
A worn CV is possible, but they usually make a clacking noise when turning.

[Mal]

Hi folks
An update ......

The other day my mechanic and I was wondering where too from here, as the noise was no worse or no better !
Almost out of frustration, while he had the car up on an airjack, he grabbed a spanner and rolled underneath the left front wheel. I didn't see much other than a half turn on this and that.
He said you really can't pin a knock like this down until its get a lot worse.
I'm thinking, you should hear it sometimes after a long trip ?
Well, I drove up the freeway without hearing anything.
Yup, turn the radio down, I'm sure its still there .....no, I can't  hear it ?
The following day, no radio on and listening intently now ....no, no more knocking ?
Could it be after all this time, I pondered in disbelief.
Well that was around 4 weeks ago and I've not heard a knock or squeak again !

I questioned my mechanic as soon as I could get intouch and he was a surprised as I was !
What did he do ?
He tightened the tie bar joints between the strut and lower sway bar - if that makes sense ?
I had a look myself and there's a relatively short rod the connects the side of the strut to a rod that goes across the car.
Well I'm still slightly in disbelief but so far so good.
If that helps anyone out there that's got a similar problem its would be great.
I guess the moral of the story is, don't go too deep - too quickly.
Look and tighten the simple things first, no matter how its seems it cant be that ... surely ? 

Thanks one and all for all the suggestions - they were much appreciated.

Happy Christmas and safe travelling to all.   

Mal     


     
 


 

 
 


               

[nzenigma]

Thanks for that. We should have an award for members like you who contribute by returning with their outcomes- good or bad. how about it Dazz?