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[richardirv]

Hi all, I would like to know your opinion on this noise that has just stated on the MV6. It actually started a couple of weeks back but before I had chance to check it out it stopped and has been fine since so I didn't think to much of it. Today it started again and seems to be getting progressively louder. Doesn't sound nice at all!

Its basically a creaking sound but it seems uniform not random like a normal creak might be. Its almost like a cog slipping type sound rather than a rubber bush type sound if that makes any sense.

I recorded the sound just now on my phone and the file is here in my public google drive folder. The car was stationery and the microphone was at the front wheel not inside the car. But it sounds pretty much the same in and out.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4jQ2nbHLRvUQUp0YUJzbnJpLUU&usp=sharing

I would really appreciate your opinion on this problem. I have searched and read other posters with similar issues but I am not 100% they are the exact same problem.

Cheers

[Nick W]

Mine had a creak that would have made a good horror film sound effect.
That turned out to be dry strut-top bearings, a quick cheap and easy fix. Well it would be if the Omega Factor didn't design in  the need for a full geometrical setup every time you do simple maintenance on the front suspension.

[richardirv]

Did you listen to the audio? I have no idea what strut top bearings would sound like!

[Nick W]

I have now, and mine was similar, but much worse/louder.

[chrisgixer]

Could be anything that turns at the same rate that you turn the steering. But if all else fails, tighten the steering box to body bolts.

If checking top mounts, which involves removing the strut, leave the hub bolted to the shock and lift the whole thing out as one unit to preserve camber setting. It means undoing the wishbone clamp but it will save set up.

[Kevin Wood]

I've seen creaking steering idlers before too. Try a squirt of WD40 / plus gas, etc. on them to diagnose.

[chrisgixer]

Yes I'd guess it stopped creaking when it rained?

In which case if the front is jacked in stands sprat wd on each joint in turn while turning the steering by hand. Might work, unless the steering needs to be loaded.

[richardirv]

Cheers Guys, couldn't really say if it stopped when it rained.

Sorry to be dumb but I am no mechanic. Where is the steering idler? can I do it on one jack? or does it need to be ramped?

[Nick W]

You can't do anything under a car on a Jack. It simply isn't safe. A big heavy car like an Omega is even worse.
Invest in some axle stands if you're going to be working under a car.

[richardirv]

I generally don't do anything under any car as I am useless. If its easy I may have a bash but generally its got to go to the garage. I just like to have a relatively certain idea of what is wrong first as I have no faith diagnosing problems with omega's!

[richardirv]

Just thought I would update. The following morning the noise was gone again and hasn't been back since. Does this change anyone's view of what it might be?

I'm always reluctant to take the car to the garage when the problem is absent, I really need to be able to tell them what to check etc!

[chrisgixer]

Has it rained, prior to?

[richardirv]

No rain I don't think, the only thing I thought of was the day it came back it was a warm day, then its been cooler since!

[chrisgixer]

Hmmm. Might point to top mounts. Need a bit more to go on really.

Needs to creak when a examined, as you say.

[richardirv]

The thing that I noticed the most is it sounds like a creak but it was uniformed not random. Like a gear slipping on a cog. It does it the same every time. Were as a normal creak would be more random. I don't know how else to explain it.