Squeak/chirping noise from front / lower area.

[Shadbolt83]

I have a squeak / chirping sound coming from the front lower portion of the car that's driving me mad.

It's pretty loud and I'm struggling to diagnose. What I have established so far:

New top mounts and shocks installed, so not that.

All bushes I've prodded and checked with a pry bar and from what I can tell all seem fine.

The noise gets worse as the car gets warm. Can barely hear it when cold. When warmed up it's almost constant.

Can be heard when going over bumps.

Exhaust vibration can make the chirping continuesly. I.e putting foot down at low revs, (35mph in 4th) makes the chirping resonate.

The sound is too low down to be ccv related.

I think... but cannot be sure that it is exhaust mount related, however I've been under the car and given it a shake and moved with Pry bar and not finding excessive movement or hearing anything so cannot be certain.

It's driving me bonkers and really taking away the enjoyment from driving..

If anyone is mechanically minded and wants to go for a spin for a listen let me know, I'm in the Berkshire /Surrey area. Otherwise suggestions are welcomed.

Searching the forum has not given me any meaningful results

Car is otherwise perfect. 80k mileage , 09 plate. N52 3.0si if that helps.

 

[j3nks79]

If you think it’s dry/knackered bush. You could spray with WD40 and see if the the noise goes. Obviously start with one item at a time to eliminate.
I’ve done this a lot with Mercedes as they seem to suffer with squeaky bushes

 

[jock156]

I read somewhere that the fixings for the backing plate to the discs can rust out causing a similar noise. Apparently the easy fix is to use a bigger washer 8)

 

[Shadbolt83]

I read somewhere that the fixings for the backing plate to the discs can rust out causing a similar noise. Apparently the easy fix is to use a bigger washer 8)

Ha literally done that today as it worked loose and rattled. Bigger washer solved the rattle. Squeak still present.

 

[Shadbolt83]

I read somewhere that the fixings for the backing plate to the discs can rust out causing a similar noise. Apparently the easy fix is to use a bigger washer 8)

Not a bad shout, will give that a go tomorrow. It does however sound far too loud to just be a bushe squeak., It does sound metal on metal, it's easily audible to people as I drive past.

 

[Shadbolt83]

I read somewhere that the fixings for the backing plate to the discs can rust out causing a similar noise. Apparently the easy fix is to use a bigger washer 8)

Not a bad shout, will give that a go tomorrow. It does however sound far too loud to just be a bushe squeak., It does sound metal on metal, it's easily audible to people as I drive past.

Will at least be a good move to further rule out bushes.

 

[Shadbolt83]

Bushes ruled out. Managed to give the engine mount a wobble with a pry bar and that looks good too.

Any other thoughts?. It's got to be an exhaust mount or something.

 

[smorris_12]

Not an exhaust leak by any chance? They can sound like chirping.