Creaking coming from wheel areas

I have a 1998 Olds Eighty-Eight with about 95,000 miles on it. In the past few months the car started making creaking sounds, noticeably when going over bumps and when people get in and out of it, especially in the back seat. The creaking seems to be worse in dry weather and somehow reduced in damp weather.

I used to think that the struts were shot, but the car does not bounce when pressed down and released at the back. i.e. the struts are still absorbing the shocks. So I'm wondering what could be causing the problem - mostly an irritant than anything else, because the ride is fine. Could it be something to do with the springs or spring mounts? (this car has separate springs and struts).

Thanks.

 

Noises are hard to diagnose over the internet, but it definitely appears that the problem is related to the suspension. Somebody will have to get under the car and pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Use a short length of old garden hose to use as a stethoscope.

 

I have a real stethoscope, if that does the job better I can try that! But the garden hose sounds like a neat trick. I'll have to do that and have someone push down on the trunk area to see if I can locate the exact cause. Thanks.

I just thought there may be a common cause for such creaks (even though i've never had one like this before).

 

I'm guessing the spring mounts like you said. They are rubber and will fail over time. This will cause the spring to chaffe against the spring perches and cause these sounds.

 

I'm leaning to that as the cause. Someone suggested it and it makes sense since the struts seem to be OK. I'll do the hose thingy this weekend to confirm and replace the mounts if the hose tests confirms it.

Thanks