Focus ZX5 2003 front end creaky crunchy noise

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Flipsflip - 20 Dec 2006 03:45 GMT

I just bought the ZX3 (manual transmission) ten days ago and was loving it.
We just went through big wind storm/colder than normal and streets I had to
drive on were full of debris. Yesterday was the first time I drove since
and I'm hearing noises coming from the front/center that sound crunchy and
creaky - like unoiled springs. Looking under, I see nothing caught up.
Could this noise be coming from the gearbox, or from running over
something, and have been defective when I bought it but cold weather
brought it out? I don't know where to look and am not familiar with manual
transmission problems.
Thank you

Reply to this Message

GM - 21 Dec 2006 17:41 GMT

You may want to check your front coil springs. They are susceptible to
corrosion and then break. I believe they normally break neat the bottom
and inside the insulator tubing - where salt and moisture collects. The
car does not drop much in height. If you feel the spring in the tubing,
it will not be even where the break is. This happened on my car and the
dealer replaced them for free. It also was very noisy when you turned
the steering wheel. There was a mailing about this program for cold
weather states in the US.

The sway bar links are also problematic on these cars.

Gary

> I just bought the ZX3 (manual transmission) ten days ago and was loving it.
> We just went through big wind storm/colder than normal and streets I had to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> transmission problems.
> Thank you

Reply to this Message

Rate this thread: