Creaking/squeaking when going over bumps??

[katkrazy2007]

I'ven heard a lot of talk about this in the ford focuses. I drive an '08 SES and I have had the issue since I got my car. I appears to be the back end since I can push down on the back end and make it make the same sound as if its going over a bump in the road or over a lot of gravel. I was reading from some people that the problem most likely lies in the e-brake cable or in that little plastic piece that helps hold the cable? Does my decriptions sound that this could be my problem as well?

[Sponsor]

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by katkrazy2007

I'ven heard a lot of talk about this in the ford focuses. I drive an '08 SES and I have had the issue since I got my car. I appears to be the back end since I can push down on the back end and make it make the same sound as if its going over a bump in the road or over a lot of gravel. I was reading from some people that the problem most likely lies in the e-brake cable or in that little plastic piece that helps hold the cable? Does my decriptions sound that this could be my problem as well?

Hey there,

I would advise that you make an appointment at your dealership so they can take a look. Ford certified techs are specially trained to track down mystery creaks/squeaks like the one you mentioned and get them resolved pronto.

Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day!

Crystal

[katkrazy2007]

Originally Posted by FordCustomerService

Hey there,

I would advise that you make an appointment at your dealership so they can take a look. Ford certified techs are specially trained to track down mystery creaks/squeaks like the one you mentioned and get them resolved pronto.

Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day!

Crystal

Thanks Crystal (:

How much would I be charged at a Ford dealer to have them look at something like that? My car isn't under warranty anymore and I bought it used. The squeak/creak isn't something serious with the mechanics (thank God), but it pretty much just drives me nuts -__- I'm sure whatever it is is small and I will probably laugh when its figured out!!

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by katkrazy2007

Thanks Crystal (:

How much would I be charged at a Ford dealer to have them look at something like that? My car isn't under warranty anymore and I bought it used. The squeak/creak isn't something serious with the mechanics (thank God), but it pretty much just drives me nuts -__- I'm sure whatever it is is small and I will probably laugh when its figured out!!

Hi again.

Ford dealerships are independently owned and operated, so there isn't a list of fixed prices for services. If you call your dealership, though, I'm sure that they'd be able to provide you with a quote.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Crystal

[cbdallas]

I had a mystery creak like that in my 2000 Sentra. They tracked it down to a torn control arm bushing that had been damaged since new. It didn't start squeaking until it was a year old.

[katkrazy2007]

Originally Posted by cbdallas

I had a mystery creak like that in my 2000 Sentra. They tracked it down to a torn control arm bushing that had been damaged since new. It didn't start squeaking until it was a year old.

That's crazy. The last thing you expect is to have something like that wrong with your NEW car. I actually have had the car thoroughly inspected by a mechanic and it now has new axles, new rack and pinion and when that didn't solve the "clunk" when I made turns or accelerated all at once (I know, this is irrelevant to the creak/squeak), they finally figured out that it was the control arm (: thanks God! I was reading about the creak possibly being something involving the e-brake cable and some type of plastic piece that tends to come loose causing this sound in many Focuses and all that would need is to be flipped and tightened, eliminating the squeak. Also, I know there are other bolts and what not that can come loose and cause creaking and squeaking involving the e-brake cable.

Is the sound my car was making (other than the popping and clunking) be because of the control arm as well? I haven't heard a current report on the status of my car today, so I don't know if changing the bad control could have helped? Any input??

[rbrad6937]

It's most likely the E-Brake cable where it goes through a bracket in front of the passenger side rear wheel. I wrapped electrical tape where it was rubbing on the bracket, then secured it to the bracket with a strong tie-wrap. The squeak is gone for good. Hope this helps.

[cbdallas]

Unfortunately, there are SO many things on late-model cars that have the potential to cause strange noises, that it's nearly impossible to offer a solution without hearing the sound myself. I've had noisy halfshafts (Civic), brake caliper pins (Mazda3), strut bushings, (Sentra) struts, (Altima) control arm bushings, (Sentra) and ABS control unit (Frontier)....the list is long of the noises I've had resolved in the last 15 years. Definitely check out what rbrad is talking about...it's at least a great place to start.

[katkrazy2007]

I will for sure. They've virtually taken the whole car apart and found nothing as far as the creaking is concerned so it'll be a huge relief if the problem is the e-brake cable! So is this thing with the e-brake cable something that can damage the car or is the just something that's gonna drive me nuts until taken care of (assuming that is actually the problem of course)?

[sailor]

Should be "Just" a drive you nuts issue... (grin)

Hadn't heard this one yet on as new a car as yours, but to "clear the air" on the issues found on older ones there were actually TWO areas that caused squeaks for different people.

1. the cable holders under the car for routing the E-brake cable.

This one had a TSB on it in my understanding (quoted by others on the forum) and additional padding in the rub area generally solved it in the cases I saw here.

2. An INTERIOR clip under the rear seat for the cable, which as you've noticed already some solved by "flipping" the clip so it worked better.

Lubricants, padding, alternative tie down methods, have all worked for different folks - LOTS of ingenuity from the members here once the location of the noise is found!

The interior one is the trick item, since no-one thinks it can squeak loud enough to be an issue at a glance, yet "fiddling" with it has been the cure for quite a few....

Good luck tracing your noise, they can be a PITA to track down!