Creaky suspension

JMO · 09-04-2008, 06:47 PM

I changed my suspension to lows a few months back and have been hearing creaks and moans since. At first I thought it was just that they needed to seat themselves or something but now I'm thinking I may have overtightened some bolts. I did leave the original length shocks on. Could that be what's causing it?

Any suggestions as to what it may be and how to fix it?

Cheers.

mattp · 09-04-2008, 10:17 PM

Mine does this too sometimes, since it was professionally lowered to SL height a year ago. I'd like to find out what it is too, when I get around to dropping into the suspension guys I'll let you know what their answer is.

V3RSAC3 · 09-04-2008, 10:21 PM

could be Ball Joints?? mine went after i got my car lowered aswell

hotrod60f100 · 09-04-2008, 10:27 PM

Check to see if the steering rack is loose.

HLC · 09-04-2008, 10:34 PM

mine creaks too at the front left im pretty sure it is lol.

just turn the stereo up enough and you wont hear it anymore!!!

RG · 10-04-2008, 12:14 AM

Mine creaked so I got it checked out. Balljoints are stuffed and are prone to collapsing leaving you on the side of the road, might be an idea to get them fixed.

JMO · 10-04-2008, 01:28 AM

Just got home. Took the car onto the freeway with the radio down and I didn't notice any noise, but as soon as I slowed down to about 80, you could hear slight creaking, but only in the back left this time. A creak *was* coming from front/back left and a slight noise coming from the back right every once in a while on the way into the city at slower speeds.

Does it still sound as though it may be the ball joints?
How can you check them?
Is it possible to fix yourself and how much are you looking at to do it yourself or for a mechanic to do it?
Can a tyre place pick up the problem while doing an alignment (I should note I haven't had an alignment since lowering)?

Could over/under tightening be the issue?

Dauphin · 10-04-2008, 01:40 PM

I had a creak from front right on my lowered AUII over two years ago and took it to a few places who wanted to fit new bushes and other work. One place tried some grease on the shock and haven't had a problem since.

JMO · 11-04-2008, 07:00 PM

Was that on the bottom of the spring or on the shaft of the shock that goes into the gas container?

Dauphin · 14-04-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO

Was that on the bottom of the spring or on the shaft of the shock that goes into the gas container?

I didn't see him do it but I'm pretty sure that he said it was on the shaft.

JMO · 13-04-2008, 06:54 PM

I just got home now after another stint on the freeway. The creaking is still there and there is a 'clunk-clunk' sound coming from the back right. This is really starting to bug me now. Is there anywhere you can take the car to that will check it out and let you know what's up for a fair/low price? Is the standard length shock in the lower spring a possible cause?

GK · 13-04-2008, 08:40 PM

What kind of car have you got? Is it IRS, because the AU IRS have a well known issue with the top shock mount. It bangs and clunks and such.

To check it you pull forward the rear seat and look under the trim. You'd see pretty quick if it's catcus.

GK

JMO · 13-04-2008, 08:54 PM

It's not IRS. If it is the shock mount, can it cheaply/easily be replaced? I also tightened all the bolts as hard as I could after putting in the suspension (front and back), could this cause the creaking? Is there anywhere in particular that I should be looking at to put grease?

I know you did your own change over a while back. Did you keep the original shocks? Have you had any similar problems?

GK · 13-04-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO

It's not IRS. If it is the shock mount, can it cheaply/easily be replaced? I also tightened all the bolts as hard as I could after putting in the suspension (front and back), could this cause the creaking? Is there anywhere in particular that I should be looking at to put grease?

I know you did your own change over a while back. Did you keep the original shocks? Have you had any similar problems?

If your car isn't IRS, I doubt it'd be the shock mounts then.

After my change of springs (kept the shocks - they weren't original but Pedders and only 4ish months old) I developed a heap of creaking in the front end. I replaced the sway bar D bushes (20 minute job) and it's been good ever since.

Perhaps the rear creaking indicates that all the rear bushes need replacing. I know I've got some creaking in the rear of the wagon, but as I don't drive it much, I'm happy to leave that be at the mo. If it were the SR, well then, that'd be different wouldn't it? LOL!

GK

JMO · 14-04-2008, 10:31 AM

Is this one of the items (circled in red) I have to lubricate? I read in another thread that there is more than one bush connected to the suspension. Is the item circled in blue the 'D' bush?

Same from the rear

Is this the D bush that needs to be lubricated on the back? How do you go about it? smother the whole thing with grease or just the inner? I've got silicon spray and High Temperature bearing grease lying around and the good old WD40. What would be best?

I remembered that I sheared off one of the screw/bolts when doing the suspension. It is one of the brackets that holds the sway bar (I think) in place. This is on the same side that has the 'clunk-clunk' sound. Could it be the cause?

GK · 14-04-2008, 11:54 AM

Surely could be the reason for the clunk.

The bits you've circled in red are the bushes I'm talking about. For less than $30 for a pair and the 4 bolts (in your case 3) holding them in, it's well worth doing.

If you're not replacing them, use the high temp grease. It really would be pretty easy to change them though, the pack of bushes comes with its own grease. It's white from memory.

At the very least, I'd get that bolt drilled out and replaced.

All the best with it.

GK

JMO · 14-04-2008, 12:38 PM

Does that include the piece in the first picture?

The bracket in the rear doesn't have the bolts attached. They're part of the axle. I tried drilling through it myself to replace the bolt, but the drill bits I have wouldn't go through, so I'll get a mechanic to do it next service.

I removed the bracket and pushed down on the front and the creak is still there. Even after greasing up the bush it's still there.

I turned the wheel full lock right and now when I push down on the front there is no creak. Does this narrow it down to any part in particular?

JMO · 14-04-2008, 05:51 PM

I tightened one of the bolts that seemed a little loose and the creak is gone! OH HAPPY DAY!!!

The bushes look a little bit worn.Where can I purchase the bushes from? Repco, Su[ercheap?

GK · 14-04-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO

I tightened one of the bolts that seemed a little loose and the creak is gone! OH HAPPY DAY!!!

The bushes look a little bit worn.Where can I purchase the bushes from? Repco, Su[ercheap?

Bushes (As recommended to me by JC)

SuperPro bushes from Ringwood Auto parts
8 Launders Avenue Wonga Park 3115
03 9722 2842
Bill is a really good bloke to deal with and is very, very helpful. The D bushes should be around $20 a pair (or less).

Cheers,

GK

JMO · 14-04-2008, 07:53 PM

Thanks for that GK. I'll contact them when I get a chance.

JMO · 15-04-2008, 10:42 AM

I got in contact with Rob and he needs to know the diameter of the front and rear sway bars. Does anyone know them or link to where i can find them? I won't be able to get access to te underside of my car for a few days.

JMO · 15-04-2008, 11:09 AM

Would it be worth it to change all the bushes (link, d etc) over to nolathane/urethane items, or is the gain not worth it? It is meant to be equal to upgrading the diameter of the sway bar. What difference would it make if I changed only the 'D' bushes from rubber to nolathane/urethane? Would there be a noticeable difference between them and rubbers ones? While on the topic of sway bars, would it be worth the effort of changing it over for larger diameter items? Would I see an improvement in everyday handing or is the outlay not worth it?

As I said I need the diameter of the front and rear sway bars of an AU2 Forte and can go from there.

5.0 ED · 15-04-2008, 11:17 AM

After reading this thread yesterday i got into my car to goto work and now mines creaking, i think this thread could be jinx'd.

JMO · 15-04-2008, 11:32 AM

How annoying is the creak... It was driving me nuts!

5.0 ED · 15-04-2008, 11:40 AM

lol yeah but mine only does it when turning the steering under load, so me thinks rack bolts.

blueoval · 15-04-2008, 02:06 PM

I had similar issues. Ended up finding out that my steering rack bolts weren't tight at all. D bushes were worn, and lower control arm bushes completely stuff. Got all those things sorted and now it drives so differently its awesome.

From what I was told, the AU's came with urethane bushes from factory. So you should replace them with urethane.

Front sway from factory is 24mm from memory.

JMO · 15-04-2008, 06:52 PM

ok 24mm for the front. Anyone know the rear diameter?

**Mechan1k** · 15-04-2008, 10:57 PM

Not sure on the rear ... my ute doesn't have a rear sway bar.

I can vouch for the SuperPro Polyurethane bushes ... I have my front inner and outer control arms bushes replaced with these ... and they are awesome ... i am going to get my front swaybar bushes replaced as well now as i have a creak/squeak in the front.

My steering has gone really light and there's some play at the moment now .... I just hop it's not another rack stuffed.

Anyone know is there's bushes or anything in the steering that may cause this????

5.0 ED · 16-04-2008, 12:57 AM

24mm mines 29mm, did fairmont ghia's cope a bigger one?

blueoval · 16-04-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

24mm mines 29mm, did fairmont ghia's cope a bigger one?

could possibly be to help control the IRS rear???

My futura is more based on a forte than any fairmont, so the fact your car is a ghia, your suspension has been improved with the IRS and better handling of the front with a bigger sway.

Anyone care to correct me or elaborate further?