After researching this, there's a distinction between "greased" and "non-greased" bushings. And while I can't see the reasoning for one over the other, I figure there's a reason why the OEM bushings are non-greased.

Of course, that's conventional wisdom, but so is assuming a greased bushing is better than otherwise. Know what I mean? So... rather than jumping to a decision, I'm going to ask the Infiniti service manager what's up, and take it from there.

 

Good idea.

And if they say there's nothing wrong, get hotchkis sways.

You won't be sorry...trust me.

 

Follow-up and resolution to this problem...

Took the car in last week, and left it over night. Drove home with a loaner (G37x). They said they couldn't repeat the problem, and greased the RSB frame bushings with a silicon spray. However, problem not solved.

Took the car in this week, and left it over night. Drove home with another loaner. They said they couldn't repeat the problem, but this time removed the RSB frame bushings and greased them properly with bushing grease formulated for solid poly bushings. IDK why they didn't do this the first time. Anway... problem still not solved.

So today I went back and had them put the car up on the alignment rack instead of the lift, then worked with one of their Senior Techs on the problem. Together, we finally (!!!) figured out what was going on. It was the rear parking brake pads on the passenger side. He took the brake apart, cleaned and lubricated everything, and took an emery cloth to the inner drum on the backside of the rotors where the parking brake pads are applied.

Problem fixed.

It had nothing to do with the suspension. And it took 3 service visits, to get to the heart of the problem. Frustrating, to be sure. But at least it got resolved and the squeaky squeaky is gone.

 

I appreciate the effort in trouble shooting. I have a similar squeek that I attributing to the Hotchkis so I am trying to clarify that you pushed on the trunk and pulled on the RSB but the problem was actually a brake pad? There is friction on the pad when you push on the trunk?

 

All the service techs (and me) were convinced it was a suspension noise, partly because of the type of sound, but mostly because it occurred when moving the car. But it turned out the noise manifested when the car was rocked back & forth, not up & down. And even then, it took some experimentation before we made the connection with the parking brake. Grabbing the RSB was an immediate squeak response, because you're only *pulling* on the car, not pushing up and down.

Once we figured it out, it was obvious. (Hindsight, eh?)

The other minor mystery is that there was nothing visibly wrong with the parking brake components. They simply dismantled it, cleaned and lubed, then reassembled... and problem fixed.

And RKS, that's the *parking brake pad*, which is a separate braking system entirely. It's a pair of tiny little brake shoes that expand into a sculpted area on the backside of the rear rotors like a drum brake. This is why they work just fine as parking brakes, but suck ***** as an emergency brake. At least, that's how it was explained to me... I still need to research our braking system in order to understand this better. Or maybe it's just the Akebono BBK? IDK, really. Like I said, I need to learn up on my brakes.

 

Thanks forthe clarification. I'll take a look at mine.

 

Did you check the trunk when you bought it? Jimmy Hoffa??

 

It's been 10 months, and 5000 miles later... the parking-brake squeak is back.

However, now that I know what it is, I'm far less freaked out about it, and will just have INFINITI clean the parking brake assembly (again) in 3 months, when it's time to swap the snow tires.

Still... the situation does suck. And it's something that I'm going to have to live with on-again/off-again for as long as I have those OEM rear rotors and OEM parking brake pads.

 

I have the same exact squeak on the rear driver side wheel, or maybe both I can only hear it when I get in. Since the noise has returned for you I feel like it might not even be worth the hassle for me. It is just a squeak right? No signs of damage or anything? Just want to make sure because if it is just a squeak I think I can get over it

 

Rochester, i've been noticing a squeak too. Not sure if it's front or rear yet. Happens only when I exit the car. Don't notice any noises when driving. Doesn't bother me enough to justify a trip to the dealer where other issues might result afterwards.

 

When driving? No, because it's a parking brake issue that you would only hear with the parking brake on, like when getting in and out of the car.

Stand behind the car with the parking brake on, and push forward against the trunk to rock the car back and forth. If it's the same problem, you'll hear the noise from the parking brake pad(s).