Suspension, front end crunching/creaking kind of noise

Tiny
LIVINLIFE1104
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 FORD FUSION
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
Have a suspension noise going on, front end crunching/creaking kind of noise. Started last summer, went away during winter, but back again. At first only kind of did it while turning at parking lot speeds, now does it nonstop turning or not at parking lot speeds, also at 40-50 I can kind of hear it now too. Weird because it only seems to do it when hot out. Also seems only when the car is driving, kind of why it's been hard for me to figure it out. I don't have much knowledge on suspension and I don't trust shops around my area as they've lied multiple times previously. I can't afford that again. Any help figuring this out would be much appreciated.
Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 1:43 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Most of the time it will be the struts. To be sure can you upload a short video of the noise here in your response? Here are two guides to help you with the instructions on how to change the struts out for your car in the diagrams below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-suspension-strut-and-spring

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
LIVINLIFE1104
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Hey, thanks for replying. Couple questions. If it were to be the strut, would I be able to hear the noise when pushing down on front end? Or when the car isn't moving? It seems to only do it when the car is in motion (more parking lot speeds) and only when it's hotter outside. I can try and get a video tom, will take pics of suspension as well to see if anyone notices something off, would be on a cell phone though so may not be the best. I watched several videos on YouTube, none pinpoint exact, but one seemed more accurate to check, that was away bar link. Others mention bushings, I've tried spraying white lithium on what I can but still does it.
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
I was going to suggest the sway bar links next, this is the tough part with noises over the internet, that's why the video helps. Here is how you can replace the links and mount bushings. Also, check the guide in the above post. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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+1
Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
SMITHTIM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I believe I have the same noise going on. I was thinking the struts too. But, I saw one video on YouTube where the guy showed a car making the same noise as mine, he said that he had fixed two of them doing the same thing before and every time it was the lower front control arms that were making the noise from the bushing in them. I have ordered new control arms that arrived last night so I will try to change them some time in the next week and hopefully remember to post on here if it worked or not.
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Friday, July 8th, 2022 AT 8:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If you could let us know, that would be excellent. I know it will help others.

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, July 8th, 2022 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
LIVINLIFE1104
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not sure if you're asking me or the mechanics. I still haven't figured it out. I took the wheel off and used a pry bar to try and move all the suspension parts I could, wouldn't make noise and as far as I could tell everything looked okay. It's getting worse, the hotter the day the worse it is. I can't duplicate the sound when the car is not in motion, tried jumping on it, pushing side to side, nothing. Also, kind of hard to have someone move car while I try and look around. I watched a video on YouTube on sway bar links, which seemed pretty positive, but when I tried to move them with pry bar exactly like guy did in video. There is no noise and not much movement either. Whatever it is I can feel the clunking in the steering wheel too. Car almost seems more bouncier now too. Could struts be bad and hear no noise when bouncing on it while not in motion?
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Friday, July 8th, 2022 AT 11:28 PM
Tiny
LIVINLIFE1104
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My wife is off tomorrow, so I will try and get a video. Not sure if it will do it in driveway though.
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Friday, July 8th, 2022 AT 11:30 PM

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