Hi, I have a 2011 Mazda 2 type DE petrol 75kW. Lately I have heard a creaking noise when turning at low speed or changing directions between forward and reverse. This noise always happens when manoeuvring into parking spaces.
Does anyone have any ideas of where this could be coming from?
At first I thought the top mounts and if it is this then it is not a problem because I am currently waiting on new Eibach springs, Bilstein Shocks and top mounts anyway and this would solve the problem, but I don't know how to test if it is the top mounts or something else.
Today when I was bleeding the brakes I stuck a bar into the lower control arms most rear bushing on both sides and both made a creaking noise like I had heard when parking, but nowhere near as load as I have been hearing. I don't know if they only made this noise because I was putting alot of force on them or if it is these that are the problem all along. Both control arms were replaced about 12 months ago and should not have gone bad already. Unless it's just cheap euro car parts garbage that's useless.
If so can anyone recommend the best brands that makes lower control arms for Mazda 2 so I can replace these again whilst I do the suspension in a few weeks time. I cannot get official Mazda parts at the minute with this lockdown and don't know when the dealerships will open back up.
Also as well as recommending a good control arm manufacturer if anyone knows of anything else that can be causing the creaking noise for me to check over. Thanks.

 

Super common issue with these cars is a lack of grease in the intermediate steering shaft.