Creaking suspension.

My P-reg Mondeo did exactly this, and it developed into a slight click when the suspension unloaded on say a hump-back bridge, then a more proununced noise later on. Turned out to be a worn end on the anti-roll bar linkage - cost about £8 to source a new one.

By 'peculiar creaking sound' do you mean more of a slight knock, which can felt slightly through the steering wheel?

If it is, then there was a ford Technical Service Bulletin covering it. The solution is to remove the lower steering column coupling, apply special grease to it, and re-install it and ensure that it is clamped at a set distance from either the steering rack or the coupling above it (not done one for a while, but I can find out if necessary).

Try to isolate where the noise is coming from using a stethoscope made from a piece of plastic tube stuck in your ear.

Rob Graham

Bit difficult that, because it only appears when you're moving ;-)

Thanks anyway.

Pete.

It certainly does.

It's still got 18 months warranty left, so I shall book it in for the work when I get it serviced.

I take it it's not a safety critical problem?

The Bulletin reference number would be good, so I can say "There's a problem, probably ".

Thanks,

Pete.

Details Below -

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.43/2001 Car and Light/Medium Commercial 14.03.2002

Section: 211-04 (12)

Model: 2001 Mondeo

Markets: All

Subject: Creaking and knocking which can be felt, and sometimes heard, from the steering wheel during load changes especially at low ambient temperatures and after short term parking of the vehicle

Summary

Should a customer express concern over creaking and knocking which can be felt, and sometimes heard, from the steering wheel during load changes especially at low ambient temperatures and after short term parking of the vehicle, the probable cause is too much friction in the steering shaft length compensator and the steering shaft is incorrectly adjusted. To rectify the concern, the steering shaft should be loosened and the steering shaft bush lubricated with silicone grease. When the steering shaft is installed, the installation dimension of 70 mm for the length compensator must be maintained.

Please replace TSB 43/2001 dated 31.05.2001 with this re-issue. The Service Instructions have been extended to include all 2001 Mondeo.

Thanks very much.

My car's a 2003MY (2004 shape). Surely they would have sorted it by now?

Thanks,

Pete.

This is ford we're talking about. All there designers are probably currently working on modifying something that's working perfectly well, so that they can save a few pence in making it, but in the process, f*** it up, so it goes wrong.

Other thing is, there is no specific model years that the TSB applies to, so it basically applies to all 2001 mondeo's (2001 being the model (ie. MK3), not the year it was built - Ford refer to the models by the year they were introduced, not by marks)

Right. I'll have it checked out then.

Thanks again,

Pete.