Possible worn strut???

[TreizeZ34]

What's up, Treize again here....

So this week a creaking noise has started to develop on the front right side of my car. I'm noticing that it happens generally when any type of weight seems to be shifted towards the front of the car (i.e. braking, shifting gears, etc)

It sounds like a creaking noise that has been getting worse over the course of the week. I'm thinking it may be a strut or even the spring and I was hoping some of you guys might help me on this one.

Thanks all

[Midwestzx2]

bushings can also do that.

[TreizeZ34]

Well I've got over 214k miles on the car, so I guess so. Would you say there's a greater chance for the bushings to fail or the shocks first at that mileage?

[crazy34]

your shocks are probly about half shot anyways with them miles if you have never replaced them. most of the time though the creaks will be either in the strut mount or the lower control arm bushing.

[crazy34]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_518984503___ just thought i would add this.....this is a strut mount.....but can be bought cheaper

[pissdrunx16]

^ that actually is not a bad price if that incluedes the bearing + the shippng! NAPA was the cheapest I could find new mounts w/ bearings about $45 a piece.
Posted via Mobile Device

[crazy34]

i think with my discount its like 25 or 30

[gamma500]

Agree with above...would check the swaybar bushings first since they get more of a work out and at 200K+ miles they should be shot. The stock lower control arm bushings are remarkably stout unless they are being oil contaminated..I just changed mine out for ES pieces at 130,000 miles and they had no play and were in good shape..the front bushing has a metal midinsert and strong as stink.

If you plan on keeping the car, get a new set of Tokico's from Summit for $180 (all 4)..the car will handle much better. Worn upper hats or strut bushings tend to "clunk/click" more than "creak". Don't forget the trans/engine mounts, specially that front round one on driver's front of bottom of engine..the rubber inser will fail and the studs mounting it to the fore/aft cross member have been known to break.

[Mimino]

I also have a clicking noise coming from passenger's side when applying the brake. Can't figure out what it is.
edit: only happens at parking lot speeds.

[GreenDemonZX2]

The stock lower control arm bushings are remarkably stout unless they are being oil contaminated..I just changed mine out for ES pieces at 130,000 miles and they had no play and were in good shape..the front bushing has a metal midinsert and strong as stink.

Any good way to check them without replacing? My S/R has a similair issue but at only 74k miles. when braking or accelerating hard I get a creaking clunk that noticably happens on either side. I have a set of ES bushings for the conrtol arms but they were planned to go in the other car.

[VJ87]

Ball joint

[zxtwou2]

it's most definitely either the lower control arm bushings, or the sway bar bushings that are giving you the squeak. i usually know what i'm talking about with suspensions. mine squeak, too...i'll be getting the ES master kit soon...but i've eliminated the squeak on other people's cars with simply greasing the LCA bushings, and one time i fixed a squeak from the sway bar D bushing on the front bar.

[iceracer]

My front sway bar bushings are very tight on my SR. I sometimes get a creak. with all the other suspension noise, I ignore it.
Regardless of the noise, with that number of miles, the struts are in need of replacing.

[CT9A]

Also make sure the strut mounts arent broken. You might have to jack the car up to check them. Even if they are broken it's hard to tell when the car is sitting on the ground.