Vicki H

Dealership is having problems identifying the noise in the front end of my car ('04 Mustang V6 convertible w/ 22,000 miles). The noise is intermittant; not predictable. When I turn a corner, it creaks, squeaks and groans. Over small bumps, the noise is worse. When parked, I can bounce the front end and it again squeaks and groans, most of the noise is on the driver's side.

I had them draw me a picture. It's not between the front axles, it's behind.

The first shop told me that the noise was coming from the area where the steering column passes through the firewall - just needed lubrication. Wrong. The steering bushings(?) have been replaced twice in the past 6 weeks as they keep 'glazing'. I'm not mechanically inclined but this sounds more like a tie rod or shock noise.

Next weekend will be the 5th time returned. Customer service actually asked me if there were a lot of corners where I lived!

Any ideas?

backlash1

Well if we're talking about the previous model Mustang and not the current shape, the only part of the suspension that sits behind the front axle line is the sway bar (stabilizer bar). Makes perfect sense that if this is faulty it will be noisier when your car is turning or going at slow speed over uneven bumps. This bar has 2 D-shaped bushes that could be dry or worn. This is usually easy to find, all you have to do is disconnect the links that connect it to the lower arms, so that the bar is not working anymore and the noise will go away. If so, lubricate or change the bushes. cheers
marc

Vicki H

Thanks for the response. After 5 visits to the shop, the lot guy says "I think that's the strut bushing making the noise". He was right. The car is finally fixed.