Creaking noise in 550 front suspension | FerrariChat
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Creaking noise in 550 front suspension

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004.

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  1. Chuck550

    Chuck550 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    210
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    #1 Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004
    I searched the archives on this one and couldn't find anything to explain it. It is most noticeable at low speeds around parking lots or driving around town on bumpy pavement. Doesn't affect handling and doesn't sound like anything is loose - I can't feel anything rocking or slipping through the steering column, I just hear this metallic creaking noise at low speeds. I called the F-dealer service dept. when I first noticed it about 2 months ago and they said this was "normal" in early 550's (mine is a 1998 with 9000 miles) and was due to the tight/rigid suspension that allows for very little flex. Does that make sense, or is something loose or worn out, like bushings? The car was purchased from an authorized dealer, has had all recalls, including wheels.

    Any thoughts appreciated. All in all, the Maranello is a fabulous, exhilarating car to drive and, so far, very reliable for me as a daily driver.

    Chuck
     
  2. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #2 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    I don't buy it. Make sure your alignment is completely set right. A few of us (ze_shark, myself, etc) had an issue with a "clunking" that was directly related to alignment.

    Can you be a little more specific with respect to the creaking. Where does it sound like it's coming from? Can someone outside of the car hear it too in a controlled environment?

    --Dan
     
  3. riverflyer

    riverflyer F1 Rookie

    Nov 26, 2003
    3,583
    Mendocino, Ca
    Full Name:
    John
    #3 riverflyer, Jun 18, 2004
    Chuck, My 550 is same year and has almost same mileage. I could hear odd noise at slow speeds and it turner out to be front sway bar links(bushings). Once replaced, all noises disappeared. Hope that helps, John
     
  4. Doody

    Doody F1 Veteran

    Nov 16, 2001
    6,099
    MA USA
    Full Name:
    Mr. Doody
    #4 Doody, Jun 18, 2004
    does it happen when you turn the wheel or when you're just driving along when you go over a bump?

    doody.
     
  5. Chuck550

    Chuck550 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    210
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    #5 Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004
    Not noticeable over bumps (maybe because the bump is louder than the creaking sound), just during low speed driving on uneven (but not broken or potholed) pavement.
     
  6. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #6 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    John,

    Were you able to replace the bushings yourself?

    --Dan
     
  7. Chuck550

    Chuck550 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    210
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    #7 Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004
    It's not so much a clunk as a "creaking" sound, and that's how the dealer characterized it (appropriately) as I was searching my brain for the right word to describe the sound. I don't know whether someone outside the car could hear it, but I would think so; I will do a test over the weekend.

    It sounds like it's coming from the front lower middle of the car, but that's where the engine is so I will also try to pin down the location of the sound this weekend.

    Would removing one or both front wheels and taking a look inside the wheel wells be of any use?
     
  8. Chuck550

    Chuck550 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    210
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    #8 Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004
    John, is this something that I could do myself? I am somewhat mechanical, have access to a lift and tools.
     
  9. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #9 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    Chuck:

    to me is looks like you can do it yourself. But then I haven't done it.

    --Dan

    Sorry about the small picture. Limitation of 640x480 here. I will send you the large one if you want. Just shoot me your email address.
     
  10. F5506M

    F5506M Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    921
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Ray
    #10 F5506M, Jun 18, 2004
    I don't know if you are having the same problem as me but my car is 2001 550 with 9,000 miles and at low speeds i can hear a squeaking sound. I have taken the car to the dealership a few times and they keep telling me it is normal for the car and if anything it is the brakes, but I can hear the noise even when i am not breaking and i am pretty sure this noise is in addition to the common brake noise most 550 owners experience. The squeaking noise can only be heard at low speed irrespective of road condition. If anyone has any ideas or insight into what could be cause this noise i would be extremly interested in the opinions.
    Thanks in advance

    Rehan
     
  11. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #11 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    Rehan: try the bushings as John mentioned. It seems that this is a common problem, and now that I think of it, I may have heard the same. Will keep my ears sharp and then try John's solution.

    --Dan
     
  12. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    #12 ze_shark, Jun 18, 2004
    Clunking at max steering angle went away by pinching the front geometry a bit (within the tolerance range), will be able to tell with my next set of tires if there any resulting uneven tread wear.
    My new gremlin is a a kind of "click" cracking noise when I turn the wheels at mid steering angle. Just a sound, no feel in the wheel. Still does not sound right.
     
  13. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #13 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    JC: My clunking went away with new tires and alignment. Tire wear seems to be spot on.

    --Dan
     
  14. Chuck550

    Chuck550 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    210
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    #14 Chuck550, Jun 18, 2004
    Thank you all for helping me out. Sounds like Maranellos have lots of odd noises, squeaky brakes aside.

    Chuck
     
  15. ze_shark

    ze_shark Formula 3

    Jul 13, 2003
    1,274
    Switzerland (NW)
    #15 ze_shark, Jun 18, 2004
    Good :) Getting my rear raised (seems it's the reason for that http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14245), don't ask me why it's too low ..., and then getting a spanking new set of Expedia S02s. Hope that after that, my car will be a little more boring than a haunted castle.
    All I want to hear is the Tubis !!! No clonks, no clicks, no squeaks.
     
  16. bobafett

    bobafett F1 Veteran

    Sep 28, 2002
    9,193
    #16 bobafett, Jun 18, 2004
    I think I'm getting a little bit of the squeek. Will try the bushings next week when I do tranny fluid.

    --Dan
     
  17. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    #17 ShanB, Jun 18, 2004
    I think with most cars (not just Ferraris) the control arms (ball joints), struts, shocks, sway bar bushings and sway bar brackets are the usual suspects given the symptoms you describe.
     
  18. F5506M

    F5506M Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    921
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Ray
    #18 F5506M, Jun 18, 2004
    I am going to get my oil changed within a weel so i will ask the tech to inspect the bushings. Will report back if they find anything unsual.

    Rehan
     

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