Front end creaking noise

[dseretakis]

When I accelarate from a standstill my car makes a creaking, almost cracking noise. I suspect the kingpins. In the years that I've owned the car I've never personally greased the fittings but perhaps some of the mechanics that took care of it did. I'm only driving this car now after it's been sitting for four years and I now hear this noise. I'm planning on greasing it but in the meantime how can I check for worn kingpins?

[al_lieffring]

when the front end is popping or crunching,the problem usually is not worn king pins but the upper outer controll arm bushings. When they don't get lubed properly and sieze up. Pump some grease in the zerk at the top of the king pin untill it comes out both sides of the knuckle. if you can get it to take grease it will stop crunching. if not the upper outer bushing kit will need to be replaced. this usually involves a cutting torch.

[dseretakis]

Yikes. I'll try lubing and see what happens