Hi Guys,

as title says really; getting a creaking noise when going over bumps; uneven road and when adjusting air suspension, this happens in only the warmer weather say 20c+; otherwise it does not occur.

I am thinking ARB bushes from all the previous posts I've read, but any other ideas?

I would say arb bushes also. It could be any bushes though. Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Had my ARB bushes done a couple of weeks back, made a big difference although not totally gone. There's defiantly something else needs doing L494 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Chile Red (Current)
L320 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Baltic Blue (RIP 29/03/2021 insurance total loss)

Spray your suspension rubbers with WD40 & it could stop the squeaking,i get loads of vehicles in this weather with the same problems. Andy.
21 Ford Ranger
Gone but not forgotten
Focus RS Red Edition
2015 RRS AB Fuji.
2014 RRS SC Santorini
2016 VW Amarok
2014 RRS AB Fuji
2012 RRS Red Edition Fuji
2015 Nissan Navara
2012 RRS SE Santorini
2008 RRS White
2007 RRS Santorino

Would silicone spray be better do you think? Might give it a bash.. L494 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Chile Red (Current)
L320 3.0L SDV6 Autobiography in Baltic Blue (RIP 29/03/2021 insurance total loss)

Silicon spray is fine,I use wd as I buy it in gallon cans. Andy.
21 Ford Ranger
Gone but not forgotten
Focus RS Red Edition
2015 RRS AB Fuji.
2014 RRS SC Santorini
2016 VW Amarok
2014 RRS AB Fuji
2012 RRS Red Edition Fuji
2015 Nissan Navara
2012 RRS SE Santorini
2008 RRS White
2007 RRS Santorino

Silicone will be better than WD40 on rubber. Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

thanks guys, will try that.

if this works, am I right in thinking that the culprit bush(es) needs to be replaced because its expanding in the heat and rubbing, which its not meant to do?

It's not that it's expanding in the heat. In fact, rubber actually has an interesting characteristic that causes it to contract as it gets warmer, unlike most materials. This is due to its unusual polymer structure.

As the bushes age through loading and time, they become harder and more brittle. They therefore no longer provide the supporting effect they are meant to. That, combined with the contraction of the material will cause movement at the interface between the bush and the ARB. This is obviously where the audible squeak is generated.

When we have wet weather the squeak will reduce because moisture will lubricate the interface. Likewise, when it's colder weather, the bushes will grip the ARB better so there is less movement and therefore less of a squeak. Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

So I've narrowed the noise down. It's coming from the front centre. I have sprayed every bush on the front end with wd40. Today it was crazy squeaky after a nice long long drive that got the engine nice and hot (the weather was not the usual hotness that was making it happen almost immediately before)

I parked up on the curb and lay underneath the car car and used the remote to lift and lower the car multiple times and the squeak is coming from dead centre underneath the engine. I sprayed every bush and ball joint on either side of the front.

I also sprayed the arb bushes as much as I could but this didn't cure the noise and I believe I have the active arbs. Which I heard are not an easy DIY.

Any one any idea what they may cost to do.

Also what's the chances the active arb has failed and that's causing the squeak? What is the symptom of failed active arb?

The ARB leaks when it's failing. It's just a glorified hydraulic ram basically. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

arinb12 wrote:

So I've narrowed the noise down. It's coming from the front centre. I have sprayed every bush on the front end with wd40. Today it was crazy squeaky after a nice long long drive that got the engine nice and hot (the weather was not the usual hotness that was making it happen almost immediately before)

I parked up on the curb and lay underneath the car car and used the remote to lift and lower the car multiple times and the squeak is coming from dead centre underneath the engine. I sprayed every bush and ball joint on either side of the front.

I also sprayed the arb bushes as much as I could but this didn't cure the noise and I believe I have the active arbs. Which I heard are not an easy DIY.

Any one any idea what they may cost to do.

arinb12 wrote:

I parked up on the curb and lay underneath the car car and used the remote to lift and lower the car multiple times

Have a look under Suspension Section of Owners Handbook poss. page 83 tells you which sequence of buttons to press on the key fob.



Cheers
Col

Last edited by Col on Mon Jun 15 2020 8:47am. Edited 1 time in total