23 · Diagnostics

Front suspension noise (creaking/squeaking)

Make: Alfa Romeo
Model: Brera and Spider Factory Service Manual
Year: 2005–2010
Section: Noise / vibrations › Front suspension noise (creaking/squeaking)

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Fault diagnosisFront suspension noise (creaking/squeaking)

FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE (CREAKING/SQUEAKING)

Whilst driving, especially on unmade roads, there is creaking coming from the front suspension. This diagnosis can only be made after

See table S015 NOISE WHILST DRIVING

. Carry out the latter first.

If the problem is only on one side, carry out the checks and any operations on the appropriate side only.

0	PRELIMINARY CHECKS	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
		Test results
	Having carried out the road test, during the See table S015 NOISE WHILST DRIVING , there was a creaking noise from the front. Continue depending on the circumstances in which the noise occurs	End of diagnosis	The noise only occurs whilst moving	Move on to Step 1
		End of diagnosis	The noise occurs whilst steering with the vehicle moving	Move on to Step 6
1	CHECKS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that there are no pipes, cables or shields that could cause interference when the engine moves.	Move on to Step 2	Components incorrectly positioned.	Reposition the components correctly.
2	SPRING/SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that: - all three threads for the bolts securing the shock absorber spring assembly to the bodyshell are clearly visible and the same height; on the left side of the vehicle in the direction of travel, the presence of a reinforcement at the height of the thread coming out of the front nut. - any abrasions to the body paintwork around the fastenings (sliding fastening); - the presence and/or correct positioning of the lower rubber shim by carrying out the See Test 4410AB CHECKING RUBBER BLOCK AND BEARING ON FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER	Move on to Step 3	Threads not uniform.	Refit correctly.
			Torque tightenings not correct.	Restore the correct tightening.
			Lower shim not in the correct position.	Reft the shim in the correct position.
3	DUST COVER CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Position the vehicle on a two column lift and raise it. Check that dust cover: is correctly fitted on the buffer; the shock absorber casing is inside the dust cover; that there is no interference between the cover and the spring; for the presence of any signs of tearing/abrasion on the cover.	Move on to Step 4	Dust cover not correctly fitted on the buffer.	Refit correctly
			Shock absorber casing not inside the dust cover.	Refit correctly.
			Interference between cover and spring.	Replace the end of travel buffer.
			Signs of tearing/abrasion on the cover	Replace the end of travel buffer.
4	END OF TRAVEL BUFFER CHECK	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Manually check that the end of travel buffer is correctly inserted in its housing	Move on to Step 5	End of travel buffer not correctly inserted	Refit the buffer correctly
5	CHECKS UNDER THE FLOOR	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that there are no pipes or heat shields under the floor that are producing noise	Move on to Step 6	Pipes or heat shields incorrectly fastened	Renew the correct fastening
6	CHECK ON UPPER TRACK CONTROL ARM PIN AND BUSHES	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that the ball pin boot does not show signs of notches or traces of grease. Undo the pin Op. 4410B68 LOWER SWINGING ARM(ONE), LH OR RH OF FRONT SUSPENSION - R R -CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY move the threaded pin manually and check for any hardening/sticking. Working by hand on the track control arm, gradually increase the force until the arm does not move, checking for any creaking of the bushes. Repeat the operation described above more often and pulling the arm to highlight any noise due to possible clearance; if there is any noise, visually check that the yield point type bolts tightening the track control arm bushes have not become loose.	Move on to Step 7	Presence of notches/traces of grease on the pin boot.	Replace the track control arm Op. 4410B68 LOWER SWINGING ARM(ONE), LH OR RH OF FRONT SUSPENSION - R R -CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY
			Presence of hardening/sticking for the threaded pin.	Replace the track control arm Op. 4410B68 LOWER SWINGING ARM(ONE), LH OR RH OF FRONT SUSPENSION - R R -CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY
			There is creaking from the bushes at the mounting on the bodyshell.	Replace the track control arm Op. 4410B68 LOWER SWINGING ARM(ONE), LH OR RH OF FRONT SUSPENSION - R R -CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY
			Presence of noise at the bushes.	Replace the track control arm Op. 4410B68 LOWER SWINGING ARM(ONE), LH OR RH OF FRONT SUSPENSION - R R -CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SEPARATELY
			Yield point type bolts loosened.	Replace the track control arm
7	ANTI-ROLL BAR CHECKS	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Check that there are no faults with the anti-roll bar See Test 4410CA CHECKS ON STABILIZER BAR More specifically: Anti-roll bar correctly positioned in relation to the centre-line of the vehicle condition (crumbling) of centre flexible mountings in the contact area with the bar; Front fastenings tightened to torque between bar and chassis Fastenings tightened to torque between bar and shock absorber connecting rod. Also check, after having disconnected the upper track rod end for the connecting rod at the shock absorber fork, that the anti-roll bar does not creak at the centre flexible mountings when moved manually with a symmetrical/asymmetrical load applied and that the loose connecting rod does not move unevenly or stick.Check the condition of the boots for the connecting rod joints and check for grease.	Move on to Step 8	Anti-roll bar front U-bolt not tightened to torque	Restore the correct tightness
			Bar not correctly positioned	Replace the anti-roll bar Op. 4410C10
			Signs of tearing or damage to the flexible mountings in the centre of the bar	Replace the anti-roll bar Op. 4410C10
			Signs of tearing at the track rod end boots or loose connecting rod not moving smoothly.	Replace the connecting rod Op. 4410C12 FRONT SUSPENSION ANTI ROLL BAR JOINT (END) (ONE), LH OR RH - R.R
			Creaking of the bar centre flexible mountings during manual movement with a symmetrical load applied.	Replace the anti-roll bar Op. 4410C10 FRONT SUSPENSION ANTI-ROLL BAR - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
			Presence of grease on the connecting rod joint bushes.	Replace the connecting rod Op. 4410C12 FRONT SUSPENSION ANTI ROLL BAR JOINT (END) (ONE), LH OR RH - R.R
8	CHECK ON LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM PIN AND BUSHES	All OK	Problems encountered	Operation
	Visually check on the lower track control arm front bush that the fixing bolts have not loosened and check for any damage to the rubber mountings or plastic components. Check that there are no glycol leaks from the lower track control arm rear bush. If the creaking persists, remove the arm pin from the steering knuckle Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY checking that there is no sticking/hardening of the head through manual movements and also checking that the pin boot is intact. Also check for rotation between the lower track control arm and the rear hydraulic bush due to the presence of rubber on the arm and damage to the rubber of the actual bush.	End of diagnosis	Yield point type bolts loosened.	Replace the yield point type bolts and restore the correct torque.
			Damage to the rubber.	Replace the lower track control arm Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
			Glycol leaks from the rear bush.	Replace the lower track control arm Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
			Pin boot not intact.	Replace the lower track control arm Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
			Sticking/hardenign of the pin head.	Replace the lower track control arm Op. 4410B40 LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM (WITH BALLJOINT) FOR LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION (ONE) - R+R - CHECK WHEEL GEOMETRY SEPARATELY
			Rotation between the track control arm and the rear hydraulic bush.	Replace the rear hydraulic bush complete with support Op. 4410B52 FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER TRACK CONTROL ARM REAR BUSH LEFT OR RIGHT - REPLACE AT BENCH

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