Creaking noise

[PhilCP]

John,
Oakmere is my "local" service centre, albeit 40-odd miles away. JCT600 in Bradford is the next nearest. My Elise has been to a dealer service once in all the time I've owned it, from new. It gets serviced by an independent in Accrington and I suspect my Emira will, too! I'm not sure what the warranty conditions state though ...

Would that be Phoenix Motorsport in Accrington?
That's where I take my VX220.

 

[nelly111s]

Would that be Phoenix Motorsport in Accrington?
That's where I take my VX220.

It would. Olly has worked on some of the recent Lotus management S1 Elises, so if it’s good enough for them …
He’s looked after my Lotuses for 16 years or so. Perhaps why I’ve never had a problem?

 

[RO62GER]

My Emira has started making this horrible noise, it's present with steering in the straight-ahead position but significantly worse when moving the steering wheel. I made this video when the engine was cold, its much less severe when the engine has warmed up. I’m guessing it’s a problem with the power steering pump. I’ll be onto Lotus Monday morning.

Is this the “creaking” sound others have experienced, and if yes, what was the fix and how long did it take to get sorted.


Thanks

 

[Kentviking]

My Emira has started making this horrible noise, it's present with steering in the straight-ahead position but significantly worse when moving the steering wheel. I made this video when the engine was cold, its much less severe when the engine has warmed up. I’m guessing it’s a problem with the power steering pump. I’ll be onto Lotus Monday morning.

Is this the “creaking” sound others have experienced, and if yes, what was the fix and how long did it take to get sorted.


Thanks

no...not the same as mine which I think another has commented is a slight play where the undertray meets the chassis which seems to be resolved by adding some more rivets.

 

[RO62GER]

My Emira has started making this horrible noise, it's present with steering in the straight-ahead position but significantly worse when moving the steering wheel. I made this video when the engine was cold, its much less severe when the engine has warmed up. I’m guessing it’s a problem with the power steering pump. I’ll be onto Lotus Monday morning.

Is this the “creaking” sound others have experienced, and if yes, what was the fix and how long did it take to get sorted.


Thanks

I checked the Power Steering Fluid level (not an easy trick given the reservoirs location). The reservoir was empty. Obviously, I topped it up and now its back to normal. I just worry what damage has been caused to the system during the time it was running dry. My Local dealer may be able to take a look at it in mid-September

 

[Wonza]

I checked the Power Steering Fluid level (not an easy trick given the reservoirs location). The reservoir was empty. Obviously, I topped it up and now its back to normal. I just worry what damage has been caused to the system during the time it was running dry. My Local dealer may be able to take a look at it in mid-September

You need to change your dealer or ring Lotus CS. No steering fluid (probably leaked out) and they’re telling you mid September. An absolute joke.

 

[Ftype]

You need to change your dealer or ring Lotus CS. No steering fluid (probably leaked out) and they’re telling you mid September. An absolute joke.

No doubt too busy dealing with other faulty Emiras.

 

[Johnda1]

I have had my V6 auto for 2 months now and am just over 2,000 miles. I noticed in the first week that there was a creaking noise when low speed manoeuvring for example parking on my drive, which I reverse onto and is on an upward slope. It is also noticeable at low speeds in car parks, but is drowned out (I assume) by engine and road noise whilst driving. The creaking did seem to improve and seemed to go away, so I put it down to 'bedding in'.

Unfortunately, the creaking is back and is worse (since the hot weather started recently). I don't think it is the steering as moving lock to lock when stationery does not seem to cause it.

It is difficult to identify where the noise is coming from, but it seems to be more from the front of the car I think.

The noise is very disconcerting, it sound like an old boat that has been out at sea for too long, creaking and groaning (a bit like its owner!)

I have spoken to my local service centre and they haven't come across this before and I am waiting to hear back from them to advise when they will be able to have a look.
Has anyone else come across this type of problem?

Hmm, I might have come across this tonight in mine! Went to a car meet ironically organised by my dealer and when I was manoeuvering out at low speed the steering was creeking - seemed fine on the drive home but was happening again when putting it away in the garage. I actually feel a bit sick about it - it's going in the a pillar recall on Tuesday so I will mention it. It was definitely not doing it before tonight.

 

[RO62GER]

Hmm, I might have come across this tonight in mine! Went to a car meet ironically organised by my dealer and when I was manoeuvering out at low speed the steering was creeking - seemed fine on the drive home but was happening again when putting it away in the garage. I actually feel a bit sick about it - it's going in the a pillar recall on Tuesday so I will mention it. It was definitely not doing it before tonight.

Check your power steering fluid level, it's not an easy thing to do, you have to remove the engine cover and look under the rear right hand wing, if you have to top it up, you will have to climb into the boot to reach. I beleive quite a few cars have had this problem, mine needed a new pump and a system flush.

 

[JohnHoward]

Mine is booked in for Monday (14/8), I will update this thread as I hear more from the dealer.

 

[JohnHoward]

Update on the creaking noise.

My car was in today for the mysterious creaking noise noticeable at low speed (mainly lock to lock turning/parking). Now fixed, it was the undertray and the fix involved some bonding and extra fixings. I am not really mechanically minded, so this is about the best explanation I can give. It seems that my local dealer knew what to do, so perhaps something that Lotus is aware of generally.

Whilst it was in the recalls were done, new wiper motor fitted and a tether fixed on a trim piece somewhere in the car.

In addition there were none recall items checked which were to check the bingo bolts (I thought they were kidding me at first, but bingo bolts are a thing apparently) and also a check on an oil pipe or something to do with the oil system. Both of these items were OK.

There was also a software update which was just released last week. No idea what the update does. I didn't notice anything different on the drive home, but it was fantastic to have working windscreen wipers. It would be nice to know what the updates do, not sure if this info is available anywhere.

Great service at Oakmere Lotus in Northwich, they are a lovely team of people.

 

[ADC]

Update on the creaking noise.

My car was in today for the mysterious creaking noise noticeable at low speed (mainly lock to lock turning/parking). Now fixed, it was the undertray and the fix involved some bonding and extra fixings. I am not really mechanically minded, so this is about the best explanation I can give. It seems that my local dealer knew what to do, so perhaps something that Lotus is aware of generally.

Whilst it was in the recalls were done, new wiper motor fitted and a tether fixed on a trim piece somewhere in the car.

In addition there were none recall items checked which were to check the bingo bolts (I thought they were kidding me at first, but bingo bolts are a thing apparently) and also a check on an oil pipe or something to do with the oil system. Both of these items were OK.

There was also a software update which was just released last week. No idea what the update does. I didn't notice anything different on the drive home, but it was fantastic to have working windscreen wipers. It would be nice to know what the updates do, not sure if this info is available anywhere.

Great service at Oakmere Lotus in Northwich, they are a lovely team of people.

Good to hear you got this sorted. The trim tether sounds like the airbag recall issue, so that's good to have sorted too

I must admit, I've never heard of a bingo bolt before now... did you mean banjo bolt perhaps?

 

[JohnHoward]

Good to hear you got this sorted. The trim tether sounds like the airbag recall issue, so that's good to have sorted too

I must admit, I've never heard of a bingo bolt before now... did you mean banjo bolt perhaps?

Yes that was it a banjo bolt not bingo, is it something to do with the brakes?

 

[virtualmacho]

Darn... I was Googling like crazy...

 

[Porter]

Yes that was it a banjo bolt not bingo, is it something to do with the brakes?

Haha that's awesome. It really is a funny term, I don't blame you for mixing the terms. So many terms in mechanical fixings and fasteners are weird colloquialisms.

A banjo bolt is any bolt fixture that allows fluid through an integral orifice into an attached hose fitting. Typically they involve a bolt-through collar that is sealed to the bolt head and the mounting face using copper (or other crush) washers.

[edit] found a good brief explanation on a motorcycle site: https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/what-is-a-banjo-bolt

 

[BSC]

Just posted a similar issue and it’s handy to know what your dealer has done. The video attached with the creaking sound. **V6 auto, May 2023 built.

I’m bringing it in to the dealer tomorrow and hope they can resolve this annoying creaking sound

 

[Andrea]

I've had both sterring pump issue (changed under warranty) and sterring creaking noise as the one you are posting, my car has been at the dealership for more than two months (plenty of issues, slow solutions etc....), i took it back last saturday and all was sorted out exept.....the sterring creaking noise

I'm attaching a couple of videos as a reference:




Do you know if it is safe to drive with this issue?

Do you have any solid reference I can take to the dealer stating what to do or giving them suggestion where to look at? I'm afraid they won't take "forum sources" too seriosly

 

[DJManc]

If the noise is internal (from the steering wheel area itself) I would say it could be the clock spring. I remember a very similar issue with Nissan Qashqai's and it was resolved by replacing the clock spring. You can google/youtube clock spring noise to see some examples and see if you think it is similar to your problem. See FORD below also with same issue.

 

[Andrea]

If the noise is internal (from the steering wheel area itself) I would say it could be the clock spring. I remember a very similar issue with Nissan Qashqai's and it was resolved by replacing the clock spring. You can google/youtube clock spring noise to see some examples and see if you think it is similar to your problem. See FORD below also with same issue.

Mmmmmmmm in my opinion is somewhere else but thanks! I'll have another check!!!

EDIT: yesterday I’ve checked and it is definitely not the steering wheel, the noise is coming from the front axle, it is more obvious if get closer to the footrests and it seems to me it happens more often after a trip, yesterday I drove for 2+ hours and same the other day.

 

[Andy H]

Mmmmmmmm in my opinion is somewhere else but thanks! I'll have another check!!!

EDIT: yesterday I’ve checked and it is definitely not the steering wheel, the noise is coming from the front axle, it is more obvious if get closer to the footrests and it seems to me it happens more often after a trip, yesterday I drove for 2+ hours and same the other day.

Hi Andrea, did you get a resolution on the creaking noises? My new i4 also has creaking noises coming from the front of the car. It is most noticeable when going over speed bumps or uneven cambers like when I turn onto my drive at home. I don't think it's steering related as it also happens on bumps where the wheel is straight.