Car Making Creaking, Knocking Noises Underneath

[Treacle71]

My 17 yo citroen C1 cool has started making creaking, clunking, knocking noises especially going over bumps in the road.  I find this particularly at the front passenger side underneath.  I called the RAC out, who inspected it with a torch.  He said there isn't anything hanging off but it could be suspension bushes and he told me to check it out with someone in case.  I took it to Kwik Fit who put my car up on their ramp.  He looked everywhere, shook the car side to side, greased it and said he couldn't find anything wrong.  He said all cars make creaking noises, but somehow I just get a very slight niggle that I am not convinced.  I am still driving it around and it still clunks over bumps.  I don't know what to do?

[CrapatCryptics2]

Assuming you do average mileage ie 7,400 miles pa you should have replaced your shock absorbers once or twice during your ownership. In addition springs get tired also.

Neither are particularly expensive so maybe check those.

[bhg481]

I had a similar problem with my Volvo a few yearsa ago - a clicking noise on bumpy roads. I checked the rubber exhast pipe supports and anything else under the car that I could think of and came up with nothing. The car became due for service; in those days the service manager lived nearby and he usually dropped his car off at our house and took our car to the garage and then swapped back again on his way home. I asked him to listen as he drove it and he diagnosed a front shock absorber failed - he was right. Shock absorbers are basically one cylinder moving up and down inside another oil-filled cylinder as the car goes over bumps. Wear can cause a click as the cylinder changes direction. What bugged me was that the noise appeared to come from the back of the car where it was the front shocker which was worn - noise travels!

[netherfield]

Ask around to see if there's an independent Peugeot/Citroen garage nearby, Kwikfit would never be my first choice. Or another smaller independent garage.

[davebro3]

get a Toyota

[nicebloke1]

I'm surprised Kwik fit said there was nothing wrong, they never miss a trick to make money from nothing. Anti roll bar bushes never seem to last very long on cars now and sometimes difficult to see. I tend to pop into my mot place if i hear anything that seems out of place and bung them £10 /15 to look. They see these problems ( if there is one ) day in and day out. Saves taking a gamble with garages.

[Treacle71]

Hi nicebloke1.  I told the Kwik Fit guy that RAC said it might be the suspension bushes, but he didn't say anything about them.  I said how much do I owe you and he said nothing because I'm 'a good lady'.  I just don't know.    

 

[barry1010]

nicebloke, my MOT advised the tyres were cracked and should be replaced soon. Took the car to Kwik Fit for a free tyre check and they said they were fine for another few thousand miles.

No mention of then on the next MOT

[barry1010]

I suspect shock absorbers too

[nicebloke1]

Just viewing the car by eye is no good, they need to be tested/ put under pressure to find out if there is to much play in them, ie loose.MOT station is the best bet, but offer to pay for their time. Should only take 15/20 mins

[Hopkirk]

Davebro, the Citroen C1 pretty well is a Toyota. A joint venture, it was also sold as the Toyota Aygo.

[ToraToraTora]

it'll be the bushes on the suspension, link arms etc. I too am amazed that KF didn't spot that or at least spot a chance to BS about that!

[Treacle71]

Oh gosh I feel so stupid now ToraToraTora.  Because he didn't charge me I bought him some chocolates and now I'm reading there still might be a problem 😳

[ToraToraTora]

if it rattles going over bumps etc then it's very likely suspension or link arm bushes. If you book it in for an MOT they'll check all that and it will only cost you £60. Then you'll know.

[Treacle71]

It passed its MOT in February. 

[ToraToraTora]

that was 6 months ago, things change and bushes can suddenly go.

[Treacle71]

Thanks Tora.  I didn't realise.  I think I'll try a Citroen independent garage.

[ToraToraTora]

also if it fails, it does not invalidate your current MOT (unless anything dangerous is found). Then you'll know because the garage doing it will be thorough hoping they'll get the work.

[davebro3]

Thinking outside the box - have you checked the battery? If the retaining strap has come loose it could be moving around.

(dunno what KF would have greased - most joints are sealed now)

[ladybirder]

Try avoiding bumps in the road.  I do if there's nothing behind me.

[Maydup]

It's time to find a local independent garage - doesn't have to be Citroen.

I've just been to one for an MOT - cost me £45 . It passed no advisories.
 

Last year at the bigger garage it had a number of advisories non of which I've fixed so they were clearly fictitious!