What causes coil springs to creak.

[ludwig]

Hello,

I am looking at a 1984 300SD to purchase. The owner states the front end had a total rebuild not too long ago which looks to be the case.

There is a noticable creak when going over speed bumps. The owner states his Indy says the springs are creaking and it was like that before the rebuild. Why would a spring make noise? Is that a sign they starting to go out and need to be replaced?

Thank you in advanced.

[MercFan]

In my case I replaced the upper control arms and 'some' of the creaks have disappeared, but there is still a couple real annoying ones left - I'm pretty sure they are torsion bar bushings - one on each side near the hood hinges... You sure that creak isn't coming from those bushings on top, near the Firewall?!

Others will tell you better, but I doubt that it would be springs... just don't seem right to think they would be creaking. I'd be curious what others think....

Good luck -
James

[rrgrassi]

Coil springs do not creak. It's usually the rubber bushings, be it UCA or LCA, sway bar bushings, dry ball joints or tie rod ends, or the guide rod bushings.

[ludwig]

Well all the bushings are supposed to be new, including the sway bar bushing. I tried pushing up and down the front end, but cannot reproduce the sound. Only on a speed bump.

[DeliveryValve]

If it is the springs, then I would check the rubber spring pads on top to see if there is any hardness or it is deteriorated.



.

[MercFan]

Originally Posted by ludwig

Well all the bushings are supposed to be new, including the sway bar bushing. I tried pushing up and down the front end, but cannot reproduce the sound. Only on a speed bump.

I can tell you that this is the same noise that my 300D has - especially when it's cold... don't hear it in the summer at all - and I'm pretty sure it's what I said before: torsion bar bushings (a.k.a. sway bar bushings?!).... worth squirting some WD40 in there to check.

[Palangi]

Springs don't usually creek, ball joints do.

[swheele2]

Originally Posted by Palangi

Springs don't usually creek, ball joints do.

If all of the bushings were really replaced then it does sound like it could be a bad ball joint. Even if the boot looks okay the joint can still be failing.

[Palangi]

Originally Posted by swheele2

If all of the bushings were really replaced then it does sound like it could be a bad ball joint. Even if the boot looks okay the joint can still be failing.

Absolutely

Boot can be in perfect condition, and it can be dried out and rusty inside.

[toomany MBZ]

I had a similar issue, turned out to be the lower ball joint, it had a torn boot.

[Joseph_Conrad]

When you go look at the car, you might want to take a flashlight to check out the suspension. I had a bad lower ball-joint that creaked and it was kinda difficult to see in the shadowy ball-joint area without shining a light on it. Good luck.

[patbob]

The springs can't creak unless they are rubbing somewhere. They shouldn't be rubbing on anything, although it might be possible the spring pad is compressing and they are rubbing on the sides of the pocket as it does so.

Bushings or ball joints are the most likely. Creaking isn't normal, so I'd suspect some joint or bushing was skipped. Expect some repairs, potentially costly if it is lower ball or lower control arm bushings and you decide to pay to have the work done for you. DIY on even those isn't too bad but does require a spring compressor.

Maybe take a can of WD-40 and squirt some into bushings and boots of ball joints to see if you can identify which one needs replacing.

[brilliantblue]

COIL SPRING BUSHING torn or gone

[JHZR2]

Ive gotten creaks over speedbumps due to sway bar bushings being unlubed. Creaks at initial acceleration Ive had due to dry rubber at the subframe bushings and spring seats.

[leathermang]

The way to find out what it is....
get a gallon can with sprayer of Ru-Glide... read directions..meaning add water...
and start spraying the most usual things first.. the upper and lower rubber bushings...and the torsion bar bushings...including all those where they tie down to the suspension..
Do all this WHILE HAVING SOMEONE ROCK THE CAR SO IT IS MAKING THE NOISE WHILE YOU SPRAY... go slow since it may take a minute to get deep into the offending whatever... before moving on so you can isolate it...
If a ball joint is squeaking that is a really bad sign and needs immediate attention.