Suspension noise
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Martinez CA
Suspension noise
See what you guys think of this. I upgraded my 2001 C5 to T-1 bars and '04 Z06 shocks. After I installed everything, it raised the body up, so I lowered it probably an inch. Then I got all kinds of noise. Squeeks, clunks, creaking you name it. Tossed the stock endlinks and used Z06 endlinks and that helped. Practically buttered the bushings with grease, no noise there, but I had this in and out of driveway and any suspension travel creaking noise. Loud as hell too. At this point I figured it's the springs, I had the F45 option and I figured they werent stiff enough. But I read posts that described the same noises from the brake hubs to the targa top to hood bumpers to exhaust, you name it. So now I'm totally perplexed. Driving home my tire pressure shows low, so I pull over air them all up 30lbs cold, and the creaking noise is gone. What the hell? This thing sounded like a kid on a pogo stick creaking up and down I aired up the tires a little and the noise is gone? I'm baffled. Can psi change the spring rate that much? It's a little bouncier than I would like now but I'll take that over the noise any day. Feel free to throw in your 2 cents on this one, I can't figure it. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Lake Worth FL
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06 & '12
So the noises started after you lowered it? The T1 swaybars' geometry is slightly different than the stock Z06 as are the endlinks. If you want to do it right, either go back to the T1 endlinks and lube them up good, or buy a set of teflon-lined T1 endlinks like LG sells. I have the LG's and they are silent. I'm guessing the stock endlinks were close to binding and when you aired up the tires, it raised them up just enough to stop. Another alternative would be to raise the car up 1/4" or so and see if that stops it.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Martinez CA
No sooner do I post that and the noise comes back. It's suspension travel, sounds like walking on creaking floors. It doesn't seem to happen until I have been driving the car for a hour or so. I'm about ready to sell this thing. 
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Martinez CA
thats what I am affraid of. I hear they are a mother to change. Are Z06 A arms different than the coupe ones? I'm thinking about trying to swap some used ones w/Z06 springs if they are different.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Hilton NY
I don't think you have to change them; did you have the car aligned yet? When the a-arms are loosened for alignment they are allowed to follow the new settings. The squeeks on mine have reduced a lot after a year of lowered driving since the suspension has taken a new set.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Martinez CA
We did all the mods, I had the new tires put on the next day and had it aligned. Went back to the new goodyears F1 GS D3's. It just sticks like glue. I just think I need to put on Z06 springs to compensate for the shocks and bars. It's so strange, I don't get squeeks until I've driven the car for an hour or so.Maybe the alignment is wrong
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