Old creaky suspension? Here's how to make it like new.
 

After 5½ years and 50K miles (including track days & autocrosses), I really started to notice all the creaks, squeeks, clunks and other miscellaneous noises coming from my car. I guess because it happens gradually over a long time, you don't notice it as much or pay much attention to it.

A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to do a little maintenance and upgrades on my swaybars/endlinks so I bought a set of Powergrid adjustable endlinks from Z1 Performance.

As part of the process to replace them, I also decided to pull the swaybar and clean and regrease the bushings. I finished up the job this past weekend after fighting to get a frozen nut loose :fawk: and it was worth it.

All this week while driving to and from work, it was very obvious how much quieter and "tighter" the suspension felt. All the usual creaks and other noises that it used to make are now gone. Bumps and holes in the road no longer elicit a painful metallic sound, now I hear just a good solid thud, just like a new car does.

If you have several years or high mileage on your car, I would highly recommend new endlinks, especially something heavy duty like the Powergrids. Even if you don't use the adjustable feature, they are warth the money.

I'm sure cleaning and regreasing the swaybar bushings help too. Remember to get some moly based grease, not lithium.

you have the aftermarket poly bushings from Hotchkis I assume?

any other bushing/bearing upgrades?

There are a bunch out there now for solid, or at least stiffer rubber.

I know replacing the rear diff carrier bushing with SPL's solid version made a huge difference.

Yup, using the Hotchkis bushings. Nothing else upgraded or replaced, yet.

did you inspect your rear bushing? most people's are torn. the whole leaking fluid streaks gives it away.

No, I didn't specifically inspect it. I didn't see any leakage or stains on the diff, axles, etc. while I was looking around up under there. I'll have to take a closer look next time.

yeah, the easiest from the rear if you aren't running the stock exhaust (which I think obscured it) is to look from the rear and the rubber portion will noticeably bulge out on the bottom due to the fluid loss not supporting the weight of the diff.

either way I'd replace it anyway :D

congrats on the rehab.

My car makes a loud clunk when i go over a bump or hit a small hole coming from the front passenger wheel. Im lowered on eibach sportline springs with stock struts. THink getting new end links would help ???

I'd check for loose swaybars first, especially if you have aftermarket ones. With a singular loud clunk, I'd be more suspecious of something loose or a bad suspension component.

Worn endlinks just seemed to make a lot of rattling more than anything - it just didn't have that "solid" sound like a new car does. That doesn't mean that you can't have a bad endlink though.