Creaking when going over bumps

[Barjavel]

Hey all,

I have a 1982 2000 that I am slowly restoring. It was a 95% original when I got it, with 50k miles. I have had it professionally repainted, replaced all brakes (lines, calipers), replaced tires, installed new shocks from one of the online Fiat shops. My mechanic works on old cars all the time, though primarily VWs.

My issue/question--I am getting a lot of squeaking and banging from the front end when I drive around town. It is especially pronounced when driving on city streets at 25 MPH and hitting a crack or expansion groove that is perpendicular to the road. Both tire hit the crack, even a pretty minor crack, and I get a whack-bang-creak kind of deal. I mentioned to my mechanic that I was worried about the ball joints but he looked at them, and tried to lever them with a huge lever, and says they are solid, they don't move when levered and look ok. (I did replace the totally shot transmission mount, but that didn't impact the noise).

I am hoping to get some advice from you all about whether creaking is normal when going over minor pavement imperfections, and if not, where to look to fix the problem. Much thanks for any advice. The handling generally feels fine, and on the highway I don't notice any creaking, but that could be because of wind noise.

[bobplyler]

Probably bushings. Those are the rubber pieces that isolate vibrations from the suspension. When they are old, they get stiff, and don't isolate as well. The front ones go out more than the rear. The vendors sell control arms with bushings and ball joints.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

In addition to bushings, take a look at the shock absorbers. They could be loose, starting to jam up, etc. Another possibility is that the front spring(s) are not seated properly. A creak is one thing, but a bang or cracking sound is something sticking and then letting loose.

-Bryan

[Barjavel]

Thanks guys. I forgot to say that I also replaced the main engine mounts, with no effect on the squeaking.

I'll insist that my mechanic replace the a-arms. He's a farmer-type mechanic and hates swapping out stuff unless he is 100% sure it is no longer functioning. He suggested that the ball joints in the a-arms might soften up with driving, but they are at least 40 years old, I only think one has been replaced, and that was back in the mid-1980s.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Does the suspension creak if you sit on the front fenders and bounce up and down (car sitting in the driveway of course)? Do one side and then the other. This can help isolate where the creaking is coming from.

-Bryan