Creaking noise

[Andy H]

This is the text from Lotus on the creaking front suspension problem and fix that I had. I didn't get the symptoms you describe but it does mention a "scraping" noise so it's a possibility.

Fitment of lower spring seat isolator to front damper assemblies to eliminate scraping noise whilst driving.Movement between the contact areas of the front damper spring seats and road springs can cause a scraping noise whilst driving. If this scraping action is occurring, then it will also cause visible witness marks on the spring seat/spring contact area.To prevent this scraping action on customer vehicles, the isolators already fitted to the upper spring seat, can now also be fitted to the base of the front road springs. As a production running change, lower spring seat isolators will also be fitted from:Emira V6 VIN: SCCLEKAX5PHN10585.

 

[Honcho]

I’ve just crossed 3000 miles and on a very normal drive today I started hearing worrying scrapes/ scratches / creaks from the front axel. I even pulled over to check around and under the car, but couldn’t see anything trapped, lose or unusual.

It carried on during the drive.. sounds to be coming from the front suspension specifically…. It’s most noticeable going slowly but is present for sure whilst at 40-60mph despite the road/tyre/wind noise.

It’s not a steering angle thing, it was doing this when perfectly straight on country roads and when going over a speed bump etc…

Captured a few videos but going very slowly allows more ‘signal to noise’ so you can hear the problem better - please see this Video

Is this familiar to some of you? Is this a rubber cup fix potentially?

Sounds like a stone stuck in your caliper.

 

[drummingj]

Not sure what has changed but the creaking noise has stopped… still booked in for a service (thanks to Lotus Kent having 1 month wait times to get an appointment) so probs will get it looked at… maybe there are some scratch marks as mention by the quote from Andy… maybe not?

 

[lotus1974]

I Had Same Problem 2 years ago, the Service Team Clean the Suspension in Front after that, i never hear the noise again

 

[Lotustoronto]

Does anyone have a confirmed fixed for the creaking on front suspension? I haven't seen many updates on here of fixes, but Also haven't seen new forum members develop the creaking. Has Lotus issued a campaign with a fix? Has anyone had it return after being fixed?

 

[drummingj]

I took mine into the Lotus Kent garage and after a fair bit of customer service friction (they said the parts hadn’t arrived yet) they fitted the rubber isolation cups and the creaks and squeaks from the front suspension have totally stopped

 

[Andy H]

I took mine into the Lotus Kent garage and after a fair bit of customer service friction (they said the parts hadn’t arrived yet) they fitted the rubber isolation cups and the creaks and squeaks from the front suspension have totally stopped

Same fix sorted mine too.

 

[tankski]

My car has developed the same creaking from the passenger foot well that others have mentioned. I've already got it booked in for its service next month, so I'll get them to take a look at it. It only happens when the car is warm. Happens most often when starting off from a stop at something like traffic lights. Hopefully it's an easy fix by the dealer.

 

[Whisko!]

I took mine into the Lotus Kent garage and after a fair bit of customer service friction (they said the parts hadn’t arrived yet) they fitted the rubber isolation cups and the creaks and squeaks from the front suspension have totally stopped

Mine was fixed the same way at Colchester Lotus yesterday.

 

[Andy H]

My car has developed the same creaking from the passenger foot well that others have mentioned. I've already got it booked in for its service next month, so I'll get them to take a look at it. It only happens when the car is warm. Happens most often when starting off from a stop at something like traffic lights. Hopefully it's an easy fix by the dealer.

100% my symptoms. Ask for the cups

 

[tankski]

The car has been to the dealer a couple times now for the creaking and, touch wood, I think it's been fixed. The cups on the suspension didn't do it. I've had the undertray re-seated and the dealer re-greased some bushings attached to the anti rollbars. Didn't have any creaking on the drive home so
that it is all sorted.

 

[NE12SD8]

I have had my V6 auto for 2 months now and am just over 2,000 miles. I noticed in the first week that there was a creaking noise when low speed manoeuvring for example parking on my drive, which I reverse onto and is on an upward slope. It is also noticeable at low speeds in car parks, but is drowned out (I assume) by engine and road noise whilst driving. The creaking did seem to improve and seemed to go away, so I put it down to 'bedding in'.

Unfortunately, the creaking is back and is worse (since the hot weather started recently). I don't think it is the steering as moving lock to lock when stationery does not seem to cause it.

It is difficult to identify where the noise is coming from, but it seems to be more from the front of the car I think.

The noise is very disconcerting, it sound like an old boat that has been out at sea for too long, creaking and groaning (a bit like its owner!)

I have spoken to my local service centre and they haven't come across this before and I am waiting to hear back from them to advise when they will be able to have a look.
Has anyone else come across this type of problem?

I have the same issue started on my i4 after 2500 miles. You described it exactly right with you wooden boat at sea example. It's as though there is dashboard rubbing against the body of car only going over potholes or bumps for me. And the car is quite bouncy being the sport suspension. On a flat freeway I have no issues. When I try to reverse and turn the steering its as though I can hear the levers at work. But that's a seperate issue. I read somewhere body and trim issues is a 6 mos warantee limit. This needs to be verified.
BTW, lotus should have a fix in about a mos for a software update addressing the issue with slow response to reverse and drive function as I was told by someone from Lotus.