Creaking in front suspension

[collin]

I recently put on a set of kyb front struts, and the H&R springs. I only did the front, due to time constraints. I've only been driving on them for a day or two. When I turn, occasionally I hear creaking noises. Is this normal? Will it go away?

I have the NL strut braces, and rear sway bar. It doesnt sound like the wheels are hitting, but more like the springs are shifting or something.

[iceman]

Ever find out what's up with this?

[collin]

not yet, I dont think it has to do with the struts/springs, but maybe the control arm or other linkage. When I originally took that assembly off and put the springs back on, when I lowered the car slowly with a hydraulic jack, there was a loud POP!, but everything seemed fine. Soon after I started hearing this noise. More of a rattle than a creak. On every little bump. I also noticed that my NL strut tower brace is bent. Not in the bar, but on the bolted down mount. So something is out of Whack. Any ideas?

[iceman]

Hmm got me. Did you follow torque specs ??

the pop is a normal thing. dont worry about it.

sounds to me like the spring isnt seated properly and when you turn the wheel......... the spring is actually turning too with your suspension and its causing it to squeek.

just take it apart again and reseat teh spring. you should be fine then.

[sound_xtreme]

actually the popping isnt normal for just springs. (just our coilovers cause the springs catch on the aluminum sleeves on the way down. and also the springs will pop when they hit the bearing plates for us)

[iceman]

Damn going to get aligned first thing in the morning.. I'll have them check it out and fix it if I have to.

[collin]

I had my car aligned, thinking that might fix it since the alignment seemed bad. It didnt help at all. After a week or so, its right back to where it was before. I've taken the assembly apart, and re aligned the springs four times already. I dont think that is the problem.

[Rba007]

I get a rattling too when i hit bumps from the rear suspension. Everything seems put together well to me, it drives me nuts though, and has for over a year.

[Chippy]

What kind of a sound is it? (quiet, loud) Does it happen just when you turn and can you hear it staying still and turning the wheel? I only ask cause that's the type of creaky squeaky sound I had when I turned right, even heard it when I turned really slowly. Ended up being my upper mounts were bad and needed replaced.

[collin]

no, it doesnt make noise when I turn, but when I hit bumps. Its a rattle sort of. its definately audible in the cabin, and even with a moderately loud song playing.

[iceman]

Mine's a creak/squeak in the front passenger strut / spring area... I jacked it up today and it looks like the spring is in there fine, I'm kinda lost for ideas. I might have the dudes doing the alignment take the assembly off and reseat everything.

[AMRAAM4]

Seth, have you considered it may be the fender? Maybe the more rigid suspension is moving the fender very slightly and it is creaking....kind of like a house settling.

[iceman]

nope, it's nowhere near it... everythings clear and its definitely comin from the top of the strut tower :/

[SteveGT1]

I know your mounts are new but that sounds like a dry mount bearing, I have the same problem now.

[iceman]

Dry mount bearing... Explain what exactly that piece is, I'm stupid

[iceman]

I forgot to mention..

Springs were seated fine, I lubed up each mount, then also sprayed some silicone lube down from the top of the strut tower trying to get in between the body and mount. Creaking went away after a day or two.

[collin]

mine went away as well. I'm not really sure why. I also sprayed with silicone, but it didnt make a difference, at least not right away. I took mine in to Midas to have them take a look. (they were the only shop in the immediate area that would even look at a car with lowering springs) They jacked it up, and have 4 guys look at it. They said their was nothing wrong. Said my springs were seated perfectly, and said the creaking was from the tuned suspension as a whole. They said the low profile tires, lowering springs, and stb's combined are probably making the noises. This makes sense, I guess I just didnt expect it to be loud like that. They also said a larger front sway bar might help the noises. So, I'm having one installed next week. I had planned on doing it anyway.

[02eco]

Sorry to draw up a very old thread but found this one in the search. Anyway, I'm getting that loud creaking that is quite loud inside the cabin, that is coming from what sounds like the top of the strut on the right side only. I've always had some creaking but no as pronounced as this, in fact it only creaked when the car was cold and just started driving.
I just installed KYB's/Rear Sway and already had the rear STB from RSM. I'm gonna follow Iceman's advice and attack it with some WD40:

Springs were seated fine, I lubed up each mount, then also sprayed some silicone lube down from the top of the strut tower trying to get in between the body and mount. Creaking went away after a day or two.

Did you or anyone do this without removing the wheel? Thanks in advance for the help.

[Hodge]

i don't mean to bring this thread up as well, i'm getting a creak when i turn right... and i torqued them down to specifications.

should i try spraying WD40 down in the strut tower?