Mk2 squeaking noise after driving for long periods.

[NorthernSky]

Afternoon all,

Just picked up my second Mk2 1.8iS after a few years owning other vehicles. It was a bit of a nostalgia purchase as I owned one in exactly the same spec & colour 5 years ago!

Anyway, it's in remarkable condition as the guy I bought it from took proper care of it; clean engine bay, barely any rust anywhere (even underside & sills) and various other work, roof and alloys refurbished etc.

I made the error of lending it to a friend for an afternoon drive and suspect he may have crashed through a deep pothole, as a result now after driving for around 30 mins I notice a squeaking sound which is triggered by going over uneven road surfaces. Think the noise of squeaky tank tracks.

Wondering if anyone can throw out some suggestions as to what this could be - thought maybe the wheel bearings? Seems to be coming from the front axle not the rear.

Thanks folks.
If someone provides the winning solution I will post a glorious HD photo of the car.

Cheers


T

[Munter]

If it's at the front, there's not much else other than bushes, bearings, and brakes. My bet is one of those....

;-)

[MX-5 Lazza]

Sorry for the noddy question but are you sure it's not the seat belt anchor rubbing on the side of the seat? That's a question that comes from personal experience

[NorthernSky]

It's definitely coming from outside! As the other dude said, probably wheel bearings, hope suspension doesn't make this sound...

[MX-5 Lazza]

Wheel bearings don't usually squeak, they rumble. And the volume changes when you turn left or right.

[NorthernSky]

It ain't the brakes so, bushes could be the cause of this mysterious noise. The problem is, I drive a lot on country roads and often the squeaking is the same sound or pitch as the bird song :O! Still fairly convinced it's bearings though...

Often it's happening when I'm on rough ground and over speedbumps. I will quit my moaning here until I find and resolve the problem. Thanks for feedback everyone.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Could be dry arb bushes. Try spraying some silicone spray in them. Don't use WD40.