Annoying Front Suspension Creak - Any Help??

Old Dec 2, 2014 | 09:06 AM
  #1  
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Unhappy Annoying Front Suspension Creak - Any Help??

Has anyone come across this annoying creak while turning or going over bumps slowly? It started at the beginning of this year and now its getting worse and worse. I've taken it to the performance shop here as well as Baker Nissan and they cant figure it out. Nissan replaced both of my lower control arms, lubed the swaybar, checked my coilovers and it still makes the noise. The top hats of the the coils are tight, the pre-load is set correctly, and nothing is rubbing. It sounds like it's coming from the SPC camber kit on the passenger side.
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!

My car has:
- BC Coilovers
- The new version of the SPC Control Arms
- Hotchkis Swaybars - factory endlinks which are still good
- GT Spec Strut Brace
- Factory bushings

http://vid13.photobucket.com/albums/...psqasgg2mg.mp4
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 10:21 AM
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I have a very similar setup and also just started getting creaks when going over bumps, I just assumed that swaybar links need to be lubed. Will let you know what I find out when I take it to my nissan guy, he's much better than anyone at the dealership.
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 01:10 PM
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Sway bar bushings can be the cause. The Hotchkis ones need to be lubed periodically and depending on how long it's been, that may be it. If you don't use a silicone grease it can wash out pretty quickly and make noises.

If that's not the culprit, check your tie rod ends to make sure there's no play there.
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 01:23 PM
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Thanks Serega13, I would appreciate that.

Hey Jeremy, I've lubed it twice in the last 3 months thinking that was causing it, but I used the super grease from Hotchkis and its still doing it. The guys at Baker said that my end links are good too, that's why im so lost.
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 01:51 PM
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Your clip isn't working.

Is it a knock or a creak? Tie rods ends are more of a knock. Wheel bearings more of a hum at all speeds that increases with speed. A creak is harder to pin down. Are the sway bar bushing brackets loose? Sway bar bushings? Steering rack bushings? UCA bushings? Did you make sure to put the thin orange gasket back on top of the upper strut mounts between the mounts and the chassis? Did you remove the splash shield completely and see if it's still there or it changes sound?

If you have pinpointed it to the UCA, spray some penetrating lube into the bushings as much as possible. If that quiets it, remove and clean them and grease them with silicone grease before reinstalling.

Just spit balling things that I think of that I'd try.
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 02:06 PM
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A-arm bushings perhaps?
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 02:25 PM
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Jeremy,

Here is the video, I uploaded it to youtube so itll be easier.

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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 02:42 PM
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I was thinking the UCA bushing could be it too...
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Old Dec 3, 2014 | 07:18 AM
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I see BC coilovers, which is a red flag for me. BC makes Megan products. Here's a link to an explanation as to why Megan coilovers makes noise. I'm sure you could apply it to BC. This is why I avoid BC if I can as other coilovers don't have these issues but BC has to justify why theirs can. smh.

In any case, there might be something there that you can try to help cure the problem.

Megan Racing
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Old Dec 3, 2014 | 08:16 AM
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Sounds like a coil binding to me. Because BC. If that's what it is, your best option is to get better coilovers. If that's not an option, remove them, take them apart, lubricate them, reassemble and reinstall. Make sure that the preload is set correctly. That's what BC usually blames it on.
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Old Dec 3, 2014 | 03:45 PM
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Got ya, Ill try that and see what happens
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Old Dec 23, 2014 | 08:17 AM
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Hey Jeremy, I took a look at the ball joint on the SPC upper control arm and the boot of the ball joint had a decent size tear in it. I ordered a new ball joint from SPC for it, so ill get that done and see if it corrects the problem.
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Old Dec 23, 2014 | 09:19 AM
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Squirt a bunch of grease into the tear in the one you have now and see if that quiets it down at least temporarily . That will let you know if it's the culprit.
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Old Jan 5, 2015 | 02:41 PM
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just fond this thread.. been having one heck of a time pinpointing a similar issue with my car on bums with moderate abrupt suspension travel- especially when its cols. I have replaced front struts got new springs to try to pinpoint the problem to no avail. I also have an SPC camber kit however. I am thinking that may be the issue as well after reading this thread. My noise is strictly front left (almost sounds like the car is bottoming out). In the summer time I am hearing more of a "knock" and sometimes consistent with turning the wheel. Need to see if that comes back when it heats up.
Otherwise everything is tight and secure per my tech
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Old Jan 5, 2015 | 03:06 PM
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I ordered a new ball joint for my SPC camber arm and got it installed last week. So far so good on my noise.
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