Hi all, New member. I recently bought a beautiful mineral grey, black leather 2005 V6 owned by a little old lady who used it to go to church on Sundays. Seriously! She was 92, deceased estate: it has only done 9,000 miles, and is like new - the buy of the decade for me, but here is the thing, the front suspension creaks when I brake.

I can't replicate the noise when out of the car with the hood open or closed and pressing down on the front or side fenders.

Inside it creaks quite readily when braking and the front dips even a little, especially when stopping at a traffic light or I pump the brake. Could it be the master cylinder?

Hard to define where it is coming from seems from the front on both sides but if anything a little louder on the drivers side. The car was used so little over the last 9 years (but serviced regularly) that maybe something has dried out? Sway bar bushing? Any suggestions?

 

if theres anything creaking in the master cylinder/pedal linkage, it will do it pumping the brakes just sitting there... my clutch was creaking, had to lube the cheep plastic pedal pivots (hoping the oil dont deteriorate the plastic)

creaking under braking torque on the suspension could be anything- I would take it to a alignment shop, they would be familiar with anything that might cause it- and even at 9k, you wouldnt know if the curbs at church had been bumped weekly wouldnt hurt to check it out


last thing to look for- 05-06s had issues with the master cylinder cap leaking- I recall a couple guys in the forums that had to have their cars disassembled to paint the firewall under warranty (brake fluid lifts paint). Not trying to scare anyone, but worth a look- just get a light and look below the master for bubbly paint- *if* the paint has been damaged, after this many years surface rust under the mounting points of the master might cause creaking too... IIRC guys just quit topping off their master cylinders and the cap issue wasnt a issue anymore, but think Ford did revise the cap seal in 06. I recall one of the forum members was making blankets for the reservoir out of a elastic headband or something to catch the brake fluid that would accumulate around the little groove where the reservoir halves are joined...

 

Thank you ford4v42!

The brake pedal was also creaking when I got the car but a little graphite lube fixed that already so it is not that. I used graphite lube instead of mineral oil for the very reason you suggested, that it might deteriorate the plastic.

I think your idea of taking it to a front end guy is the best plan. I like to do my own work (because I then know it is done properly - the voice of bitter experience) but at least they can diagnose it for me.

I had never before heard of the master cylinder leaking despite reading countless forums before I bought the car, but that is really good to know, and I'll keep an eye on it. Right now there is no rust or bubbly paint anywhere.

As I say the car and the engine bay are just like new- I live in Los Angles and the car had never even been driven in the rain - the wheel arches are are showroom new.

Thank you very much for your suggestions! I'll post here when I find out what it is.

 

You could try using water as a lubricant. Use a spray bottle to spray individual parts and try to narrow down the noise.

 

I'd bet 100 bucks it's your front A-Arms

I just replaced mine and it did exactly what you're describing.