My mechanic mentioned during servicing ages ago that the bushes at the top of the suspension struts in the engine bay were not as good as they could be and were creaking when turning the steering. This is something I hadn't notice and wasn't fussed about.

Recently it's started to become more noticeable and ou can hear it (had a passenger mention it). Can only really hear it when dry steering when parking etc and it still does bother me (can physically feel it). Is it likly to be an MOT failure / danger as my mechanic said you could see it also when looking with the bonnet up (from memory).

Jon.

With regards to the MOT issuse I wont comment because they seem to make the rules up as they go along and where one might fail another might not..[grey area I think personally] but the problem is the lower rubber mounting [elastic pad is the dealer name for the part ] to replace these you need to remove the suspension leg and strip it down to replace them..when refitting them it needs to be fitted as in the diagram..click on the first image for a larger view..

Originally Posted by MEP

My mechanic mentioned during servicing ages ago that the bushes at the top of the suspension struts in the engine bay were not as good as they could be and were creaking when turning the steering. This is something I hadn't notice and wasn't fussed about.

Recently it's started to become more noticeable and ou can hear it (had a passenger mention it). Can only really hear it when dry steering when parking etc and it still does bother me (can physically feel it). Is it likly to be an MOT failure / danger as my mechanic said you could see it also when looking with the bonnet up (from memory).

Jon.

Shouldn't affect your MOT mate not to my knowledge but as PNL said they make the rules as they go......my dad's mondeo was failed by one garage for a brake imbalance only for another to pass it

Ok ta for that guys. Does it pose a real danger at all? I'm not going to have a leg fall off am I?

Originally Posted by MEP

Ok ta for that guys. Does it pose a real danger at all? I'm not going to have a leg fall off am I?

No you have no fear in that department Jon its just another one of those damn annoying fiat problems compounded by cheap and nasty parts..unfortunatly in that department I have never found a replacement to the original elastic pad..

Ok. I'll leave it then as it doesn't bother me and if anything adds 'character' IMO. Lol.

This is basically what I've had for the past few years on RGZ. Had thought it was an engine mount, which was slightly perished admittedly but most likely it's to do with the above. Mentioned it to my local independent, he said the noise could be reduced with a bit of a grease. Have to say the mounts looked fine when I swapped the suspension over last year and the sound hasn't changed before/after said swap.

Is it like a sort of squeaky type noise as if you have a lickle birdie in the engine somewhere? If it is it might just be your top mount I had that and I used some silicon spray and penetrating fluid to get rid of it after a few treatments it went away

Yeah it's like a squeaky rubber sound. A kind of juddering.

Originally Posted by MEP

Yeah it's like a squeaky rubber sound. A kind of juddering.

Then lube it up like I did n it goes away