Strange creaking like sound?!?

[Fertimo]

I know this is a long shot, but my car is making a very odd noise and wondered if anyone had any idea what it could be. It happens each time I drive it but only for a matter of about a minute and then stops until the next time i drive it! I drive a Peugeot 206 and it's 4 years old and has done 45'000 miles roughly.

Basically after about 4 or 5 mins from starting it up, there is a strange creaking noise (almost like shutting a rusty gate or something) which sounds like it's coming from the left front wheel area of the car. It makes the noise when I put the clutch in but also when I just lift my foot off the acelerator or go round a corner etc....so then nothing to do with the clutch! It doesn't do it if I apply the brakes. This always happens after about 4 mins of driving and only lasts about a minute max and then it's fine for the rest of the journey.

I've asked about it at my garage, and had the brake pads changed and the clutch looked at recently. They can't really tell me what it is, because i can't demonstrate it to them as by the time i've driven there, it's already made the noise and stopped!

I think it must be something that only occurs as the car is warming up, but has anyone got any ideas??

[kujawski]

at a quess, it may be one of the following:

1) Wheel bearing?
2) Brake Caliper sticking?

[Teddio]

It may be a worn cv joint. Check the cv joint rubber boot immediately behind the front wheel, you don't need to jack up the car up or take off the wheel. If the rubber's split then the grease will have run out of the cv joint and it's likely to be worn and corroded.

[Fertimo]

Thanks for both those answers. I'll have a look at the cv joint and check it.

If the brake caliper is sticking, does that mean it needs to be replaced? And is something that needs urgent attention? (sorry for sounding dim....just i know nothing about mechanics!)