So I got rid of the clunk, now a creak?

mlara1129

mlara1129

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my front suspension has been a pain in the a$$ for the past few months (at least i think the front suspension is the issue).

I was getting a very noticeable clunk. I suspected the sway bar bushings/links based on what i read here, but i took it to my mechanic and he said both of my motor mounts were f'ed up and likely causing the noise. Replaced them both but the noise still there. So then i tried replacing sway bar bushings and sway bar links and successfully got rid of the clunk.

But now, i have a creak? I thought maybe the struts, but replaced them with new sport struts and the noise is still there. It only happens when the front suspension dips, and sounds with each bounce. No idea what it could be. I was reading in some previous threads that maybe the strut mount could get noisy?

any ideas? Car has about 122k now, any other items that could need replacing at this time?
 
I had a creaking in one of my rear struts, turned out I had it installed "backwards". The difference isn't noticeable unless you look real hard, this is why it is important to mark the whole strut assembly with a line so you put it back together right. I thought I did this but apparently messed up on one.

So it was like:

==(strut)==[/\(car)


Instead of :

==(strut)==[\\(car)
 
If your sway bar bushings are from Energy Suspension, grease them again. I had the same issue. I have them greased by Lincoln at every oil change now, as mine start that creaking noise within 3K-5K miles. Mine just started creaking again, and I'm 500 miles from my next oil change.
 
LDM said:
If your sway bar bushings are from Energy Suspension, grease them again. I had the same issue. I have them greased by Lincoln at every oil change now, as mine start that creaking noise within 3K-5K miles. Mine just started creaking again, and I'm 500 miles from my next oil change.
Click to expand...

How much does Lincoln charge you for that? Just wondering
 
I just pay them the standard maintenance charge for the oil/filter/lube/tire rotation/inspection. I had to tell them they were greasable and that they are making noise - did you grease them? They said we didn't know they were greasable, we will make a note of that on your service record - then they took it and greased it.

I think lincoln charges $45-$49 for oil/filter/lube/tire rotation/inspection, but they usually have a discount on that price and thus I get charged less than that... (the LS uses an extra quart of oil over their included standard oil change price).

I just pay the standard fee for oil change etc (I remind them that the sway bars need greased). Makes it easy to maintain and remember by just letting them do it. (Keeps my tires rotated that way too letting them do it).
 
Ben's LS said:
How much does Lincoln charge you for that? Just wondering
Click to expand...

easy to do yourself as well. Just need a grease gun and grease from Pep boys or wherever. Attach the hose from the grease gun to the greaseable nipple on each energy suspension bushing, squeeze the trigger, and grease.
 
Noob Help

So i got my bushings greased with my oil change at the dealership. It certainly seems less noisy, and in general it seems to be driving "better"...hard to explain.

However, the creak is still there, altho it seems to take more "bounce" for the creak to be audible.

Also, when i got them re-greased the tech told me that there was already a lot of grease in there, and that the "grease fittings were loose"? what does this mean?
 
thanks for that video M4rk, def. helps narrowing it down.

I dont think its that, as that sounds more like a squeak. Also no matter how hard i try i cant duplicate the sound when i take the wheels off and check the individual components.

Ill prob just take it to my mechanic during thanksgiving break, and report back.
 
Mlara, did you ever figure this out?

I just replaced my shocks with new oem ones and also installed eibachs
And now I am getting a creaking noise over bumps/dips and when I push down on the car. The noise is just in the front end. I am thinking it is the strut mounts since that is the only thing I didn't replace. The spring is seated properly and everything is tight.

Anyone have suggestions besides the mounts?
 
You could try spraying some tire shine on the piece where the spring sits.
 
I might give that a try.

I forgot to mention that it is for sure either the mount, spring, or shock. I can feel the creak when I put my hand on it I just can't pinpoint the exact place.
 
This should solve most squeek/creak/rattle noises

LARGE STEREO.jpg
 
Just a thought. If it's anything like my symptoms, not a constant creak or clunk, more like a rattle, I'm lead to believe that it may be the rubber insulators on the steering rack. I don't remember 3C716A and 3C716B ever coming up in discussion but given the price and anticipated ease of replacement compared to the sway bar it may be worth a shot. It's not something I or anyone else has pinned down yet as it's not easy.

SteeringRackAssy.png
 
Ben's LS said:
Mlara, did you ever figure this out?

I just replaced my shocks with new oem ones and also installed eibachs
And now I am getting a creaking noise over bumps/dips and when I push down on the car. The noise is just in the front end. I am thinking it is the strut mounts since that is the only thing I didn't replace. The spring is seated properly and everything is tight.

Anyone have suggestions besides the mounts?
Click to expand...

sorry forgot to update this.

i never got it COMPLETELY fixed. i did this:
How To Fix Squeaks In Your Car - YouTube

and the noise went away for a few months, more or less. I could still kinda hear it on really big dips. Now its starting to come back, but hasn't bothered me enough to do something about it again.
 
Thanks mlara.

It looks like I am gonna start with the stut mounts anyway bc I just tried to hulk out and tighten the nuts and ended up breaking the bolt right off the mount. Damn my super human strength.

I think my ES bushings need greased too bc I'm getting a clunk again.
 
Clunk noise possibility #1 - Sway bar bushings. Replace the sway bar bushing with energy suspension parts. Cost is less than $30.

Clunk noise possibility #2 - Upper front control arm ball joints and Lower ball joints. With the car on the ground reach into the wheel well above the tire. Use your fingers to hold the steering knuckle and use your thumbs to move the upper arm up and down.

I change the sway bar bushings years ago and they did clunk.

I recently fixed this on my car. I changed the struts and strut mounts in the front and rear. It fixed nothing, but it did make the car ride smoother. The front end was still pounding and clunking and getting worse. The ball joints on the LS will trick you. Do what I suggested before to check the upper ball joints. Mine had a half an inch of play when I checked it and if you raise the car off the ground they felt perfect. I also had to replace the lower ball joints, They were bad to.

Really inspect the ball joints closely.

Now that my front end is quiet I need to contend with the rear suspension noises.
 
Ben's LS said:
Mlara, did you ever figure this out?

I just replaced my shocks with new oem ones and also installed eibachs
And now I am getting a creaking noise over bumps/dips and when I push down on the car. The noise is just in the front end. I am thinking it is the strut mounts since that is the only thing I didn't replace. The spring is seated properly and everything is tight.

Anyone have suggestions besides the mounts?
Click to expand...

I'm getting the exact same thing after my drop.
 
reaper76 said:
I'm getting the exact same thing after my drop.
Click to expand...

I never did get around to doing anything about this, but its not like it used to be. The only time I can hear it is if I push down on the car and the car is turned off.
 
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