Strange creaking/clonking noise...

[James Q]

Right, just of late, when the car has been used for a a decant time ie 45mins/1 hour, there's a creaking noise, but only when i'm pulling of from a junction or moving forward after stopping, and it only lasts a couple of seconds, my original thought was possibly engine mount, but this seems solid and there's no play, my wife says she can feel a slight vibration when its creaking on her side, so would i be right in thinking that it could be a gear box mount?? Has any one experienced this before?

Also when i'm on a bumpy road it sounds like my coilovers 'clonk' could this be just a case of new top mounts?

Thanks guys

[The Mighty Elvi]

Do you get any noise/clunking on full lock.

[James Q]

Hi, only once have i noticed a clonk on full lock when turning right, but i haven't heard it for a long time.

[rob.043]

Could be a failed exhaust mount rubber? Have you had a look under the car? If the engine mounts are old, or original there will be excess engine movement, which is most noticable when moving away from a standstill, so that extra movement may be allowing something to knock. A new set is not expesive. 

[James Q]

The exhaust mounts have seen better days but there still functional and cant see how they would cause a loud creaking noise? I am thinking about getting new mounts but thought there might be some thing else?

[dan_apps]

ball joints, top mounts? jack the car up on one side and see if there is any play

[rob.043]

The exhaust mounts have seen better days but there still functional and cant see how they would cause a loud creaking noise?

Yeah, not a likely culprit of a loud creak. Have you checked the engine mounts by raising the clutch with the engine running, in gear, and viewing from the open bonnet? If its rising up excessively, mounts are loose/worn. twoman job though. try that after you've given the wheels a wobble!