I recently started hearing a creaking noise from the front end of my 2006 Prius. It only happens after the engine run for at least 10 minutes (driving or stationary). I hear the noise when I start and stop at low speeds (less than 10 mph) and when I exit the vehicle after driving. I can replicate the noise by rocking the vehicle forward and aft. I put the front end up on jacks and turned the wheels, no noise. 30 minutes after the vehicle is turned off, I can't replicate the noise. As far as I can tell, it is triggered by heat from the engine because it will happen if the vehicle just sits and idles. Any ideas? Thank you.
If my car is in Park and I rock it back and forth, I can hear a mild creaking noise. I think in my case there are bushings that are going bad, either in the suspension or in the motor mounts. If I had to describe it, it sounds almost like the sound that leather makes when it creaks. I'm not sure if this describes what you are experiencing.
