Hi all,

Trying to figure a problem out. I have this sound, almost comparable to two metal sheets rubbing together, somewhere between a creak/grind/squeal, hard to describe. It's occurring from the front passenger side. Might have appeared after hitting a pothole. I have the g37xs sedan, 2011.

It's most pronounced at low speeds (20km/hr or below) and at high speeds (50+) you don't hear it at all. If the car is not moving and the wheels are turned, you can hear it as well. Does appear to occur when going over bumps at low speed as well.

What would be the most likely culprit? I was thinking the top contenders are something related to power steering, swaybar end-links, dust shield rubbing (pads are low, BBK installation over next couple weeks), ball joint?

Thanks! Apologies if wrong subforum.

 

Check heat shields first. Their rotting is a very common problem on AWD cars. Then, look at sway bar bushings and end-links. While you're down there, check on the condition of the front axle CV joints and covers. Then look at ball joints.

 

Sounds good, thank you. I went back out there this morning to take a look. Seems like when I push down on the passenger side, I get the sound too. Sounds somewhere between a whine/squeal/squeak I'd say. Makes the same noise going over bumps.

Most likely scenario in that case seems to be sway bar end links?

 

Start at the sway bar because the fix is cheap if it's the problem and it's easy to diagnose. Then consider ball joint or tie rod end

 

I have a similar sound, passenger front as well, where the car creaks over bumps and can be duplicated when not moving and rocking the car/sitting in passenger seat. Worse as the temperature drops, when above 60 degrees noise is gone.

Had it diagnosed as the bushings in the lower control arm/transverse link which comes with the bushings and a new lower ball joint which was stated to be worn but not enough to cause the issues on its own. Haven't replaced and will attempt when it gets warmer and I buy an impact wrench.

Have you had a shop look at it?

-Eric

 

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your insight, I have not had a shop take a look at it. I noticed the sound early this week and will be taking it down to a buddy's well-equipped garage this weekend to take the look. Both of us are mechanically inclined (him more-so than me) so hopefully we can figure it out. If it is the ball joint, we have a full assembly so the entire control arm would have to be replaced, correct?

 

My understanding is that while possible to replace separately, the ball joint is designed to be replaced with the transverse link.

Others with experience may chime in to offer guidance as well.

-Eric

 

Updating here as I hate it when people "solve" something but don't reply for future googlers.

Last weekend we took a pretty in depth look and were unable to find the source of the sound. However we hosed everything down and applied lithium grease anywhere that could use it and it appears to be way better now, especially as it's warming up. I think we're leaning towards sway bar end-links but will wait until something (if anything) fails/breaks down further so we can be certain. There is no play anywhere and there is also no sound with the wheels up in the air. We checked the suspension both loaded and unloaded.