Slowly getting all these issues sorted out on this most recent purchase of mine. 90 SWB Pajero.

I was off road over the weekend and notice a really loud creaking noise from what seems to be the front right.

It only happens while turning, either left or right but I have noticed it more while turning right. Also only happens while the suspension is under load. like driving up a driveway at fulllock. I was driving through a dip on the side of a fire trail while turning right when I was off road over the weekend.

I am thinking either upper or lower control arm bushes have drired out and now dead possibly going metal to metal most likely or ball joints but given that the noise occurs twice (once on the way up and once on the way down in the suspension movement) I figured control arms.

Any help as to what this might be would be great.

I would check your sway bar bushings 1st.

grease your ball joints

Sounds like a common case of steering bumpstop disintegration. The rubber caps wear off so you get metal on metal contact at full steering lock. Apply liberal amounts of grease to affected area and it should go away.

Oil the wheel the Hamsters run on.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

bingo, same thing happened with my strada.

I always thought it just added character, I'm sure some of you older wheelers make weird noises too, right <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I jsut had this on my 91 RS LWB... I thought ball joints, limiters, etc. Then I had a close look at the shocks... the bottom bushing was completely gone on one side, and barely anything left on the other.

Turns out after 20 years, 133K they were still the original Mitsu OE shocks! Replaced them with KYB's... so far so good except I did hear it again for 1 other time... just like you said, steering at the limit, usually backing down a grade, I hardly heard mine going up grade even before the shock change. my limit bumpers are in good shape, so who knows. I havent heard it again for the last 2 weeks so fingers crossed it was jsut "settling"!

Wigwiggy got it right. It's the steering angle stopper rubbingh steel on steel as the suspension flexes. I bet there's not a gen1 out there with the prophylactic still on it...

Had a look under the front end this morning and looks like it is the steering lock stops as you say.

The rubber that is normally on there is completely gone on both sides and the right hand side bolt is worn to a 30 degree angle from going metal on metal.

Put a lump of all purpose grease on them, see how it goes. Seemed good pulling out from the driveway this morning.

Thanks for the help.