creaking going over speed bumps

[1stnewtonleaf]

At about 7,000 miles my Leaf has started a loud creaking/groaning sound going over small speed bumps. The more people in the car, the more severe and louder. Other than than that car has been perfect. I guess a trip to dealer is required.

[Rat]

Mine has no trouble going normal speeds on city streets; I just have to slow to 18 MPH or so, but in parking lots where the speed should be 10 -12 MPH I find that it has trouble when the rear axle clears the bump. It sounds like the car's rear end just fell of the curb. I have to slow to 5 - 6 MPH or if possible take it at a slight angle to avoid this so one wheel is halfway down when the other is at the peak of the bump. The front end has no trouble. It was like this from day one. I think it's just a design flaw - or "feature."

[GeekEV]

I don't get a creaking or groaning, but mine has started making a whistle or "whoop" sound from the front left when I hit speed bumps at speed. It didn't used to do that. I'll have them look at it when I bring it in for inspection.

[Nubo]

In past cars of mine, this behavior usually pointed to dry or worn-out stabilizer bushings. I don't even know if the LEAF has these....

[TomT]

In the front, yes. The rear uses the twist beam axle as a form of anti-roll bar.

In past cars of mine, this behavior usually pointed to dry or worn-out stabilizer bushings. I don't even know if the LEAF has these....

[aqn]

At about 7,000 miles my Leaf has started a loud creaking/groaning sound going over small speed bumps. The more people in the car, the more severe and louder. Other than than that car has been perfect. I guess a trip to dealer is required.

In past cars of mine, this behavior usually pointed to dry or worn-out stabilizer bushings. I don't even know if the LEAF has these....

In the front, yes.

Yes, see these pics, specifically the 4th and 6th ones.

The rear uses the twist beam axle as a form of anti-roll bar.

1stnewtonleaf: Does this happen when the front wheels go over the speed bump, or the back wheels? How about when only one side (front or rear) goes over a bump?

[davewill]

... mine has started making a whistle or "whoop" sound from the front left when I hit speed bumps at speed. ...

I thought the point of speed bumps was NOT to hit them "at speed"

Patient: Doctor it hurts when I raise my arm like this. (raises arm)
Doctor: Then don't raise your arm like that!

[GeekEV]

... mine has started making a whistle or "whoop" sound from the front left when I hit speed bumps at speed. ...

I thought the point of speed bumps was NOT to hit them "at speed"

This is a common misconception. Any well-designed** speed bump is designed to regulate your speed to the desired limit. They can usually be taken safely and with minimal bump at that speed. Taking them too slow or too fast is what jars you...


** an important distinction, some are just a lump of asphalt laid down without thought or planning

[1stnewtonleaf]

Definitely only the front wheels. Only when 3 or more people in car, not going excessively fast, maybe 5 mph. Happens at different size speed bumps. My other cars have never made a noise like this even going much faster.

[LEAFfan]

This is a common misconception. Any well-designed** speed bump is designed to regulate your speed to the desired limit. They can usually be taken safely and with minimal bump at that speed. Taking them too slow or too fast is what jars you...

I don't know about where you live, but here we have speed 'bumps' and speed 'humps'. Speed bumps should be taken at a very low speed...under 5mph...these are mostly in shopping areas and are yellow bars of concrete. Speed humps can be taken safely at 20-25mph as these are on side streets meant to keep traffic at the speed limit and are just humps of asphalt over asphalt.