Squeaky front suspension: SOLVED

[pointless]

Hey everybody my 06 STI makes a loud squeaking noise whenever i come to a stop from the front passenger side suspension and I was wondering if anybody has any ideas what this could be or maybe what I should look for or check up there. Thanks in advance. Oh and it's all stock suspension

[JacksonRally]

It is quite possibly the rubber control arm bushings. Quick fix would be to clean with a quick spray from the hose then dry completly, then spray with WD-40. If the noise goes away then you know it is the bushing/bushings you sprayed with the WD. This is not a fix but a way to tell which one is squeaking. The fix would be aftermarket bushings and lube them. It could also be the top hats but not likely.

[JacksonRally]

Could also be the sway bar bushings. Check the same way as I stated above.

[strat]

is it just during braking/stopping?

it could also be brake noise (pads/rotors)...

[pointless]

Ok i'll check all the bushings. And yes it is during braking at slow speeds, if I let off the brake it stops then when I reapply the brake I can hear it again.

[strat]

sounds more like a brake issue than a suspension issue to me.

might want to check your pads and rotors for unusual wear.

[JacksonRally]

Heck if its a brake squeal then its easy...

[pointless]

well I took a look at my suspension and the bushings for the sway bar are split down the middle. So my question is where can I buy new bushings?

[strat]

if you mean the bushings that mount the sway bar to the frame, they should be split on one side.

[pointless]

Really? I did not know that, bummer I thought I solved the problem.

[AZP Installs]

My guess is that it's pads or brake related.

Miles on the pads? rotors? which pads?

-mike

[pointless]

Its the front passenger and theres about 6000 miles on the pads and rotors.

[pointless]

well I took it to Subaru and they said it was my ball joint because it has excessive play and they wanted $200 to fix it.

[pointless]

well after replacing both ball joints, It did not change the noise at all and I also had the brakes checked and they are fine. So I guess I will wait and see if it gets worse

[pointless]

well it's getting worse. It's starting to sound like the CV joint worse when I'm turning. Is there anything to look for to see if it's broke? Thanks

[247motoring]

re-grease your sway bar bushings and see if this persists. btw are you running a really sticky tire as well? this will cause wear and tear on the bushings as well.

my car squeaks a little on regular street tires but w/ the dot-r compounds it squeaks like a mofo. I've learned to just live w/ it. I'm not replacing anything on the car unless it falls off. hehe.

[pointless]

ok I will try that. Would you recommend any specific grease to use?

[247motoring]

are you running polyurethane bushings? I guess there's specific grease for these. Not sure how much different it would be from a teflon lube.

http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/polyurethane_bushings.htm

[pointless]

Well grease didn't do the trick, so I removed my sway bar to start eliminating things, that didn't change the noise at all. It almost sounds like it could be all the plastic under the car but i can feel it in the pedals.

[wr-ecks]

Probably half the cars that come into my work thinking they need brakes end up being perfectly fine.
Usually if the noise only happens when you apply the brakes, then its the brakes.
Could be just some brake dust or road crud stuck in the pads making some noise. Happens all the time. If its really driving you nuts take it all apart and clean with hot water and soap.

[WAM]

If you still suspect the brakes, and it only comes from one side, could you swap pads left to right and see if the noise moves with them?

[pointless]

I probably could swap the pads but I had the brakes inspected and they said they are fine. I guess I will just drive it til something falls off, It's not affecting the way it drives at all It's just a pretty substantial noise

[pointless]

Ok well i figured it out my control arm bushing is loose. But I tried to tighten the bolts and they are as tight as they will go. I don't know if maybe there is supposed to be a spacer in there or shorter bolts, because its like the bolts are bottoming out before its all the way tight. Anyways if you guys have any suggestions that would be great. Thanks


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g310/pointless29/IMG_3163.jpg

[pointless]

Turns out the bushing mount was cracked and the one bolt that was holding it on pulled the pressed in nut out of the frame... bad times... And subaru wouldn't even try and fix it they didn't want to deal with it they sent me somewhere else they wouldn't tackle it either. ended up buying the whiteline anti lift kit and cut a small hole in the frame to put a nut on top of the bolt... it was a long day.

[punkrockerjohn]

you should report that to SOA... Thats a bunch of B.S. that your dealership wouldnt fix it.