Front end suspension noise
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
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From: East Tennessee
Front end suspension noise
I need help diagnosing a problem. After I have driven by 2004 for 15 - 20 miles I can hear a noise coming from the front end. It is more of rattle than a squeak. The problem goes away as soon as the car cools off. If I get out of the car and push down on the left front fender, I can hear what I can best describe as a rubbing/squeaking noise. Pushing on the passenger side sometimes gives me a noise, but still sounds like it is coming from the driver's side. By the time I get the front of the car jacked up and the wheel removed, the noise quits. I bought it a few years ago with 48k miles, now I have 62k on it. It has not been raced nor is it a garage queen. My thinking is either the shock or one of the bushings. I don't see any signs of the shock leaking. Any thoughts or suggestions to help me find the culprit would be appreciated. I don't want to start just throwing parts and $$ at it in the hopes of maybe fixing the issue.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
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From: Southlake, TX
Take a look at your tie rod ends. This is a known "noise maker" and with over 60k on the car you may need a set. These are pretty easy to change. Lots of options out there but is OEM is just fine.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: East Tennessee
I checked the sway bar and tie rod ends. There is no play in them. Took the car out for a ride to get it warmed up. Got back to the garage, pushed down on the fender and can hear the squeaking. Took the wheel off and set the car down on a block. When pushing the car down I can see the upper control moving, but the bushing isn't moving with it. I expected to see the bushing and control arm to move together and any movement would be around the dogbone that goes through the bushing. If my thinking is correct, the lubrication around the dogbone is gone and is forcing the bushing to move up and down inside the control arm.
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Silicone spray!
I need help diagnosing a problem. After I have driven by 2004 for 15 - 20 miles I can hear a noise coming from the front end. It is more of rattle than a squeak. The problem goes away as soon as the car cools off. If I get out of the car and push down on the left front fender, I can hear what I can best describe as a rubbing/squeaking noise. Pushing on the passenger side sometimes gives me a noise, but still sounds like it is coming from the driver's side. By the time I get the front of the car jacked up and the wheel removed, the noise quits. I bought it a few years ago with 48k miles, now I have 62k on it. It has not been raced nor is it a garage queen. My thinking is either the shock or one of the bushings. I don't see any signs of the shock leaking. Any thoughts or suggestions to help me find the culprit would be appreciated. I don't want to start just throwing parts and $$ at it in the hopes of maybe fixing the issue.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: East Tennessee
Just to follow up on this. I sprayed silcone on the upper driver side bushings. This helped quiet the squeaking. I ordered new bushings and put those in a few days ago. Nice and quiet and I haven't noticed any difference in ride stiffness, but it's only been a few days and I haven't had the car on a very twisty road yet.
Also, want to say thanks to billschroeder5842, ZEEZERO-6 and DWC4 for their suggestions.
Also, want to say thanks to billschroeder5842, ZEEZERO-6 and DWC4 for their suggestions.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Just to follow up on this. I sprayed silcone on the upper driver side bushings. This helped quiet the squeaking. I ordered new bushings and put those in a few days ago. Nice and quiet and I haven't noticed any difference in ride stiffness, but it's only been a few days and I haven't had the car on a very twisty road yet.
Also, want to say thanks to billschroeder5842, ZEEZERO-6 and DWC4 for their suggestions.
Also, want to say thanks to billschroeder5842, ZEEZERO-6 and DWC4 for their suggestions.
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
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From: East Tennessee
I went with Energy suspension and bought the front bushing set directly from them. If you are going to get these, I suggest ordering the small tub of grease extra. I found the three little tubes they include was barely enough for one side. I need to get more before doing the passenger side.
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/3.3176
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/3.3176
