If it's coming from the front...go with the bushing lube my friend.
Some Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Some Advice Needed
I bought my 2004 coupe on March 13th from a Cadillac/Saab dealer in Pasadena, CA (Symes Cadillac). I've noticed that there is significant creaking coming from the front of the car (can't pinpoint the source) when going over speed bumps etc. The creaking is louder when the weather is colder. If anyone has any input on what this might be, I'd love some ideas.
The car came with a 30-day warranty. However, I'm kind of on the fence as to whether a Cadillac dealer will be able to adequately diagnose and repair the problem. Then I start thinking about whether they will crack the rocker panels and stuff when they lift the car, and I get more nervous.
My main question is this: With all of the above in mind, should I try to get this fixed under the included 30-day warranty by the Cadillac dealer, or should I shell out some money to ensure it is fixed right and ensure the car is lifted correctly, etc. at somewhere like Corvette Mikes or another local Corvette shop?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input!
The car came with a 30-day warranty. However, I'm kind of on the fence as to whether a Cadillac dealer will be able to adequately diagnose and repair the problem. Then I start thinking about whether they will crack the rocker panels and stuff when they lift the car, and I get more nervous.
My main question is this: With all of the above in mind, should I try to get this fixed under the included 30-day warranty by the Cadillac dealer, or should I shell out some money to ensure it is fixed right and ensure the car is lifted correctly, etc. at somewhere like Corvette Mikes or another local Corvette shop?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,548
Likes: 929
From: Communist Colorado
I bought my 2004 coupe on March 13th from a Cadillac/Saab dealer in Pasadena, CA (Symes Cadillac). I've noticed that there is significant creaking coming from the front of the car (can't pinpoint the source) when going over speed bumps etc. The creaking is louder when the weather is colder. If anyone has any input on what this might be, I'd love some ideas.
The car came with a 30-day warranty. However, I'm kind of on the fence as to whether a Cadillac dealer will be able to adequately diagnose and repair the problem. Then I start thinking about whether they will crack the rocker panels and stuff when they lift the car, and I get more nervous.
My main question is this: With all of the above in mind, should I try to get this fixed under the included 30-day warranty by the Cadillac dealer, or should I shell out some money to ensure it is fixed right and ensure the car is lifted correctly, etc. at somewhere like Corvette Mikes or another local Corvette shop?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input!
The car came with a 30-day warranty. However, I'm kind of on the fence as to whether a Cadillac dealer will be able to adequately diagnose and repair the problem. Then I start thinking about whether they will crack the rocker panels and stuff when they lift the car, and I get more nervous.
My main question is this: With all of the above in mind, should I try to get this fixed under the included 30-day warranty by the Cadillac dealer, or should I shell out some money to ensure it is fixed right and ensure the car is lifted correctly, etc. at somewhere like Corvette Mikes or another local Corvette shop?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,597
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
Sounds like you just need to lubricate the sway bar bushings. You don't even need to lift the car to do this easy maintenance.
You slide under the front end, remove the bolts holding the sway bar. You don't need to remove or loosen the endlink bolts. Pull the sway bar away, remove bushing. Clean, relubricate, and reposition the bushings. Replace bolts. Torque to spec.
I lubricate the inside of the bushings (where the sway bar rubs inside the bushings). I have not lubricated the outside of the bushings.
Torque settings:
Front bolts... 43 ft-lbs.
Rear Upper bolt... 49 ft-lbs.
Rear Lower bolt... 70 ft-lbs.
End links (don't need to mess with these for a simple lube job)... 53 ft-lbs.
Might as well do the rears too!
People use various lubricants. You can do a search to get ideas. I understood to use a non-petroleum based lithium grease.
I used the Amsoil lithium grease on the left in the photo. Lasts at least 1-2 years.
My vehicle...
Welcome to Corvette Forum!
You slide under the front end, remove the bolts holding the sway bar. You don't need to remove or loosen the endlink bolts. Pull the sway bar away, remove bushing. Clean, relubricate, and reposition the bushings. Replace bolts. Torque to spec.
I lubricate the inside of the bushings (where the sway bar rubs inside the bushings). I have not lubricated the outside of the bushings.
Torque settings:
Front bolts... 43 ft-lbs.
Rear Upper bolt... 49 ft-lbs.
Rear Lower bolt... 70 ft-lbs.
End links (don't need to mess with these for a simple lube job)... 53 ft-lbs.
Might as well do the rears too!
People use various lubricants. You can do a search to get ideas. I understood to use a non-petroleum based lithium grease.
I used the Amsoil lithium grease on the left in the photo. Lasts at least 1-2 years.
My vehicle...
Welcome to Corvette Forum!
Last edited by gpotski; Mar 23, 2010 at 01:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Sounds like you just need to lubricate the sway bar bushings. You don't even need to lift the car to do this easy maintenance.
You slide under the front end, remove the bolts holding the sway bar. You don't need to remove or loosen the endlink bolts. Pull the sway bar away, remove bushing. Clean, relubricate, and reposition the bushings. Replace bolts. Torque to spec.
I lubricate the inside of the bushings (where the sway bar rubs inside the bushings). I have not lubricated the outside of the bushings.
Torque settings:
Front bolts... 43 ft-lbs.
Rear Upper bolt... 49 ft-lbs.
Rear Lower bolt... 70 ft-lbs.
End links (don't need to mess with these for a simple lube job)... 53 ft-lbs.
Might as well do the rears too!
People use various lubricants. You can do a search to get ideas. I understood to use a non-petroleum based lithium grease.
I used the Amsoil lithium grease on the left in the photo. Lasts at least 1-2 years.
Welcome to Corvette Forum!
You slide under the front end, remove the bolts holding the sway bar. You don't need to remove or loosen the endlink bolts. Pull the sway bar away, remove bushing. Clean, relubricate, and reposition the bushings. Replace bolts. Torque to spec.
I lubricate the inside of the bushings (where the sway bar rubs inside the bushings). I have not lubricated the outside of the bushings.
Torque settings:
Front bolts... 43 ft-lbs.
Rear Upper bolt... 49 ft-lbs.
Rear Lower bolt... 70 ft-lbs.
End links (don't need to mess with these for a simple lube job)... 53 ft-lbs.
Might as well do the rears too!
People use various lubricants. You can do a search to get ideas. I understood to use a non-petroleum based lithium grease.
I used the Amsoil lithium grease on the left in the photo. Lasts at least 1-2 years.
Welcome to Corvette Forum!
Another issue regarding doing it myself is that I'm not sure if I possess the skill to do that. I know it's just loosening and tightening a few bolts, but I don't want to screw something up and have my car fall apart one day while driving down the freeway...
Thanks for the kind welcome!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,597
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
Interesting idea; I suppose I could ask them if that is the case...
I've read that when doing a search for creaking, but the creaking really sounds more involved that. Is it possible for the bushing creaking to sound like it's coming from the center console area as well?
Another issue regarding doing it myself is that I'm not sure if I possess the skill to do that. I know it's just loosening and tightening a few bolts, but I don't want to screw something up and have my car fall apart one day while driving down the freeway...
Thanks for the kind welcome!
I've read that when doing a search for creaking, but the creaking really sounds more involved that. Is it possible for the bushing creaking to sound like it's coming from the center console area as well?
Another issue regarding doing it myself is that I'm not sure if I possess the skill to do that. I know it's just loosening and tightening a few bolts, but I don't want to screw something up and have my car fall apart one day while driving down the freeway...
Thanks for the kind welcome!
..."you'll never get it back together again." Well, I did ok...
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I'd start with the bushings, but if you try to lubricate them yourself, be sure you leave yourself plenty of time before your warranty expires to take it to the dealer for repair if it doesn't work
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Actually, I re-read the warranty and it apparently only covers the power train. Oh well, looks like I may buysome ramps and try to do the bushings myself.
I have all the tools, just have never done it before. Is it possible for the noise from the bushings to transfer to the inside of the car, as in I can hear the creaking perfectly fine with the windows up?
I have all the tools, just have never done it before. Is it possible for the noise from the bushings to transfer to the inside of the car, as in I can hear the creaking perfectly fine with the windows up?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I really think gpotski is correct about the sway bar bushings - I had the same issue with mine but was fortunate that it happend at the dealership before I wrote the check - they lubed the bushings and it's been fine since.
You're right, you can hear the creak inside the car...very well!!
Simple fix.
You're right, you can hear the creak inside the car...very well!!
Simple fix.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
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From: OC Calif
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Actually, I re-read the warranty and it apparently only covers the power train. Oh well, looks like I may buysome ramps and try to do the bushings myself.
I have all the tools, just have never done it before. Is it possible for the noise from the bushings to transfer to the inside of the car, as in I can hear the creaking perfectly fine with the windows up?
I have all the tools, just have never done it before. Is it possible for the noise from the bushings to transfer to the inside of the car, as in I can hear the creaking perfectly fine with the windows up?
Can you have someone outside the car while you go over a speedbump? they should be able to tell you more if it's coming from the front vs. something inside. There's lots of areas for a creak, the targa top, the rear hatch if you have a coupe. I had a terrible sqeek when driving, and when the wife was a passenger, she found it was the latch on the targa (put hand on it and it stopped) . As a driver, I could not tell, thought it was the rear hatch area.
Last edited by socalman; Mar 23, 2010 at 02:19 PM.
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From: Prescott Valley Arizona
I really think gpotski is correct about the sway bar bushings - I had the same issue with mine but was fortunate that it happend at the dealership before I wrote the check - they lubed the bushings and it's been fine since.
You're right, you can hear the creak inside the car...very well!!
Simple fix.
You're right, you can hear the creak inside the car...very well!!
Simple fix.
