So this morning I took my car to get washed and everything was fine...then on my way home form getting gas and food, I could hear slight creaking in the car. I wasnt quite sure where it was coming from or what it was...until I entered my apartment complex.I went over a speed bump and the creaking was louder and was coming from the front of the car...how could this occur only in a half hours time??

Anyone think they know what it could be???

Thanks!

 

front sway bar. im 99.44% sure. there have been many posts about it....

the bushings can be sprayed with silicone and the creak will go away for a while, but will eventually come back.

in fact i have the same problem and just bought a 22mm neuspeed FSB to replace the OEM. should have that wrapped up next week....



EDIT: one other thing: when i had my MK4 GTI it was slammed very low, and the idiots that run the carwash couldnt get it up onto the track that makes the car move forward- they kept ramming the car into the guide to get it on. eventually they had to lift the front end over the start of the track to get it to go. turns out they bent my control arm and it caused a similar sound. my VW guy heated up the arm and bent it back and all was well. i do not think this is your problem though.

 

Sway bar sounds right on.
I have to grease up my bushins often, Im also planning on geting new F/R bars.

 

check your strut tops too. i had the same problem but it was more of a popping or wobble noise

 

i've actually had both problems.

the strut problem was more of a crunching sound, where the front end felt totally loose and wierd.

the sway bar is more of a creaking sound, kinda like the creaks the boat in pirates of the carribean made =)

 

Sounds just like the sway bar problem. New bushings and relube will help. I have read somewhere that if you cut off the plastic guides on the sway and then put the bushings on the metal instead of the plastic then you will eliminate the problem pretty much for good. The bushings are a super easy job, the sway bar replacementis not...

 

So the creaking went away on its own...totally weird...

 

it comes and goes.

mine is beyond creaking, its a clunk now. Not much left of the sway bar bushings. I used to get the occasional creak with the 180 though. Has to do with being wet i think.

 

it was probably just water from the car wash