Hey everyone,
I have a 2009 R55 S (83,000 miles), unfortunately been replacing a lot of different things over the past 3 months. Have about $3000 in, in that short span of time (I swear if something else major happens I`m trading it in!). The new issue I`m running into is front end creaking. Low speeds the front passenger side from initial acceleration and also low speed bumps sounds like a pop or creak. Higher speeds this doesn`t exist. Also it doesn`t happen all the time. Some days it happens all day, others it may not happen at all or only every once in a while. I do not believe it is a suspension issue. Im thinkin more along the lines of an engine mount since I am also getting a little more torque steer than normal. Does this sound correct?

 

Check sway bar end links and sway bar bushings for excessive play.
What repairs have you performed? Strut/spring replaced?

 

The intermittent pop/creak that my car experienced was a result of a bad inner ball joint on the lower control arm, symptoms were exactly what you have described. About a year after I had the front lower control arms, BJ's and suspension bushings replaced the sound came back. I re-checked torque and the passenger side inner BJ and it had lost its torque...re-torqued it to spec and haven't had the issue again. Unfortunately, the only way to verify for sure the inner BJ is bad is to remove the control arm, its hard to get a pry bar in there to properly check for end play. When removed, you could easily tell the BJ was completely blown and loose. The control arm and BJ get replaced together, and if you are going through the trouble may as well do everything else up front like the bushings and out BJs. At 83k on the clock, you are probably pretty close to do. My OE stuff only lasted about 50k running run flats all over So-Cal's terrible freeways and backroads. Remember, ball joints and bushings are wear components and they are typically going to spec something that will last JUST long enough to wear out out of warranty for most drivers, in turn generating revenue for the service dept.

I would start with a good front end bolt check and jiggle/pry bar inspection with the tires in the air and go from there. I think you are 100% off in suspecting it is not a suspension issue. Good luck!

 

it's very unlikely that it's an engine/trans issue. I'd point to the various joints in the front of the suspension. Either get in there with a wrench and make sure they're all tight or take it to a shop who can diagnose the noise. Or wait till it gets worse and that will make it easier to find.