I just had some Cobb sways installed -- now, at low speeds, I hear what can best be described as creaking coming from the front suspension. I also hear it when coming to a stop and starting -- but not when going over bumps. I live in Michigan (so it's cold). I am thinking that the new bushings are just noisy b/c of the cold and may need some time to break in. Any other sage advice? I should add that I have a 2005 Touring. It has 16k miles -- I have searched and I doubt that it is one of my endlinks, since the car has so few miles on it. I should also tell you that I recently installed a front and rear BBK (Racing Brake).

 

It's the endlinks. Powergrid is your next mod.

 

Has your car been lowered? if so, it might be your end links binding at an awkward angle. you may to look at an adjustable endlink (powergrid is a good choice)

 

Thekinn -- looks like you are local, I take it you had the same issue. Where did you get the power grid endlinks and is there anything I can do in the interim?

Sna Z -- Nope, car is at stock height.

 

Ebay. I only got the front endlinks - they are pretty expensive, but, solved the problem. Worth the money imo. It is surprising that yours are creaking already. IIRC mine took at least a few weeks to start making noise.. but you are describing the tell-tale signs of creaky endlinks.

Nothing else you can do really... Just tolerate the noise .

Yup. I'm in Ferndale - keep an eye on the Regional forum. We try to get some meets together when the weather breaks.

 

Looks like I need to order up a set then. Its worth it to stop the creaking. The sway bars have been on for a few weeks, I just have not been driving the car. I don't think I noticed it the first time I drive the car, but it is definitely getting worse. I live in FH, but I work in Southfield. I hit up the Fly Trap for lunch at least twice a month -- I love that place. I will keep an eye on the forum. Thanks for the advice.

 

How stiff did you go on the bar up front ??? Its probably the endlinks and its probably because you have to bars set way to still , thinking it will help the way the car handles.

 

medium stiff setting.

 

it should not be your end links, unless they are that different from the G35 which i have. I have my cobb front set at 3/4...never once have I heard a noise from them, the rears, yes...but never the fronts. You may have simply over tightened them. Find the OEM torque spec or do it the ol'fashioned way...just loosen them a bit (tighten them until you feel they are just beyond snung, then loosen 1/2 to a full turn from that). You could have also have not put enough grease on them as well...lube em up like it was your first time, I also used teflon tape around the bar in the bushing area.

I would try all of that before replacing your endlinks...also if the brakes were to blame you should only hear the squeak durring braking and it would range from a long squeel to short chirping.

good luck

 

Yeah.. I did all that stuff too when my 'creaking' began. Removed, greased up the bushings (again). Tightened to spec. In the end.. it was all a waste of time because it was the endlinks all along. The sound may go away temporarily after doing all of that - but it will return shortly..

 

I did both. I removed the bars and greased them up -- I also installed the adjustable endlinks -- my stockers were just about gone. They were binding when I tried to move them by hand. The noise is gone. Thanks for the advice.

 

I plan to change my end links. What grease should I use for the swaybar bushings? Since I'll be doing the end links, might as well grease these bushings...