Need help chasing a squeak from the front end.

S

sandwich

Member
Hi all. I have a 2006 fx35 with the sport package.

for the past several months I've been chasing a squeak from the front end and I can't figure out what it is. It seems to be coming from the drivers side, but hitting a bump with either wheel causes it to happen, suggesting it has something to do with the sway bar. When I go into a large bump I hear one sound, and I basically hear it in reverse on the way out, if that makes sense. It's quiet in the morning, especially if its wet or dewy out. After 15minutes of driving, it comes out. It happens often, so basically any fast movement of the suspension causes a squeak, but body lean around a corner does not. If I head over a rough road, it's a constant series of short squeaks.

so far, I've tried spraying silicone lube on the sway bar bushings as well as the end links, to no avail. I've tried spraying pretty much everything to no effect. I noticed the fender liner was moving a bit, so I used cheap glue to hold it down, no effect. Finally, I brought it to a mechanic and spent more than I would like to admit to have it diagnosed, but he couldn't find it. Assuming he didn't just rip me off, that suggests that there's no play or obvious damage.

What could it be? What can I try next? Is driving me nuts!
 
just throwing some ideas out there hmm maybe the springs / shocks? maybe the gasket between the shock assembly and body? did you put on a stb without torquing it?
 
If i was in your shoes. Id inspect it myself if you cant still find the noise then id take it a alignment shop.
First thing first, one common issue ive seem with FX's arw sway bar end links going bad. Id start checking that first, try it when your wheels are on the ground. Try moving the end link or wiggling it side to side, most of the times you will hear clunk clunk sound. I remember when i was hearing noises i checked the end link and the bolt holding it to the strut was loose. If your mechanic checker the car off the ground sometimes that compresses some bushings and inspecting it wont help. Thats why try the wheels on the ground without jacked up.
Next inspect your outter tie rod bushings, by wiggling your wheel from side to side 9 oclock to 3 clock position and if you hear clunking or feel any looseness your outter tie rod is bad.
Next try to inspect the ball joint/lower control arm, there is multiple ways of inspecting this using a lond pry bar or 12 ocllock to 6 clock tire wiggle.
Another problem would be bolts that are loose in your suspension or brakes. Just try to wiggle things around your suspension. Check your caliper too.
If i recall correctly there was a member whos hub bearing was failing on him and he started getting sounds like that too.
Last thing, how many miles you got on your front struts? maybe its time to replace, your strut might be worn and if not the your strut top mount bearing might of failed
 
Car has 85k, I'll see if I can grab a video. I squirted a bit of silicone on the shock shaft but that didn't help.

no movement from the end link with the car on the ground. No side to side play either. I squirted the motor mount too but no effect (no surprise though).

I have yet to turn the car side to side to check the strut bearings though.
 
la_fx35 said:
I know you said is a squeak noise. I wonder if it may have relate to the infamous pop, creak, or click noise from the fender area.
Click to expand...

It doesn't seem to happen when accelerating or stopping, or "body torsion" moments like when one wheel is on a curb. It really only happens over road chatter.

I have the car in for an alignment today, and we'll see if their ears can hear it. The other garage charged me way too much for nothing, but that's another story. This guy immediately guessed sway bar links.

---------- Post added at 10:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------

oh, also, the shocks feel fine. Rebound is good and compression is nice and firm. There's no wallowing or sway in the suspension, just a squeaka squeaka.
 
I would say the shocks are primary suspects, I could not think of anything else that would generate a squeaky noise, specially at sudden suspension movements


Sent from my iPad
 
Well I've got a couple of crappy videos, but I can't upload them until I'm at home on the wifi.

When I had an alignment done, the tech/store manager suggested that it was endlinks. Is that something that's DIYable? If so, are there any good how-tos? Does it matter whether I use a readily available alternative, or stick with OEM?
 
Thanks for that link!

I got in the wheel wells and pulled back the boots to spray some silicone oil in the stabilizer links. Didn't affect the noise at all. I'm guessing it's the front bushings, so I'll probably try replacing them, since it sounds like the links go around 85k and the bushings are pretty cheap. Is there a way to slide them off, or do they have a split that I can't see from the side?
 
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