Sounds from rear of car on right turns

czechone · 16-04-2007, 07:34 PM

I have an AUIII XR8.

Just recently i've noticed it's developed a squeaking/creaking sort of sound from the right rear wheel area/back of the car (right as in on the drivers side) which ONLY happens when i'm making right turns or going around sharpish right corners.

Just wondering if anyone has had any similar problems and whether it would likely be a problem with the suspension or what else it may be (bearings?) ? Strange thing is that it only happens on the right hand side with right turns so im guessing it has something to do with the pressure on the suspension when it's weighted on/off that side ? But i really have little knowledge on this kind on thing.

Sort of hard thing to pinpoint to explain to a mechanic as it doesn't happen on every right hand turn and the car otherwise drives and corners normally but would like to have an idea what the problem might be and at the least it's a very damn annoying sound to put up with.

au2sw · 16-04-2007, 08:32 PM

possible that its just bearings. is it IRS? may be suspension. best to get it on the hoist and check all wheels and bearings for grinding/strange noises/movement. this will eliminate bearings if nothing found there. check that all the bolts on and around the suspension are tight and that shocky rubbers are in good condition. if the rubbers are worn or loose, they will make annoying squeaking sounds. other then that i cannt offer anymore advice

RspecAU · 17-04-2007, 12:57 AM

If it is IRS you might want to look at the top shocker mount aswell also not ruling out the bearings either but don't go to ford for them they'll charge you an arm and a leg for them, from memory the shocker mount is around $100.

Cheers Mark

czechone · 17-04-2007, 11:47 AM

Thanks guys ... yeah it is IRS ... two questions then :

1. Are the bearings easy to get to ? (haven't looked at/taken out the back ones before)

2. Re: the mounts, rubbers etc. - is it simply a matter of looking for something that is obviously broken/loose/worn or would it be something more subtle which only the trained expert eye could see ? (never really checked for any suspension related problems myself before) ...... actually i think au2sw sort of answered this already ....

au2sw · 17-04-2007, 11:27 PM

not sure on the IRS set up, whether it will be just a bearing, or if its the whole hub like the front, but basically you need to remove the wheel, remove the brake caliper, undo the locking nut in the center and bob's your uncle...and yes i did make mention of the shockies earlier, a good rubber is in one piece and smooth. if it is flaking, cracked or just not looking to good, get it to your mechanic for closer inspection.

czechone · 18-04-2007, 11:01 AM

Thanks mate will check things out ... one last thing though - given that this noise only happens on right turns would it be the bearings ? I mean shouldn't/wouldn't it happen regardless of turning or not if the bearings were stuffed ?

maestrobmw · 18-04-2007, 09:23 PM

Just checking, but is it a squeak, a squeal, grind or creak? (Sorry to be pedantic, but I do this stuff every day, and it helps to identify it.) From your description so far it actually sounds like the handbrake shoe inside the disc rotor/drum. There may just be a buildup of dust, or the friction material is 'sharp edged', and when the disc tilts due the sideways forces on the bearing etc., it scrapes the shoe on the 'drum' inside the rotor, making a noise. All I can think of at this point.

czechone · 19-04-2007, 10:32 AM

I'd say it's more like a "creak" - very much like creaky old matress springs on a bed - or (and sorry if this sounds stupid) kind of like the "eee aww" of a donkey - it almost seems to creak in time to the car rocking on the suspension/springs around the corner but it's hard to tell. Definitely NOT grinding or squealing. Hope that narrows it down a bit.

It doesn't make the sound though if i try and bounce the car up and down myself on that back right corner when it's parked ... only when driving and on the right turns.

MYEBII · 19-04-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czechone

I'd say it's more like a "creak" - very much like creaky old matress springs on a bed - or (and sorry if this sounds stupid) kind of like the "eee aww" of a donkey - it almost seems to creak in time to the car rocking on the suspension/springs around the corner but it's hard to tell. Definitely NOT grinding or squealing. Hope that narrows it down a bit.

It doesn't make the sound though if i try and bounce the car up and down myself on that back right corner when it's parked ... only when driving and on the right turns.

I would check rear suspension,as bearings dont make creaking sounds

maestrobmw · 20-04-2007, 11:17 AM

Maybe check that the eccentric adjustable bolts/pivots on the lower control arms are tight. I've seen these get 'creaky' when the suspension squats/rises.

czechone · 20-04-2007, 02:24 PM

Thanks for the all tips ... i'll be checking things out on the weekend.

Baboon_AU · 20-04-2007, 05:06 PM

handbrake for sure.. mine did the same around left hand corners. i pulled the drum off and cleared all the dust out and made sure everything was dust free and when i put it all back together it was fine.