rra640

Maybe this should go under suspension and brakes... if so please move.

I have noticed a strange creaking noise coming from the rear of my 98 GS400 (97000 miles). The suspension is 100% stock and original. Only thing that has been changed is brakes.

At first I thought it was the struts, but the creaking noise appears to be more side to side rather then up and down. It does not change with adjusting speeds, but seems to be more noticable at lower speeds (maybe just eaiser to hear it). It is the same on on a perfectly flat surface as it is on a bumpy surface.

I grabbed the side of the car just above the gas cap and rocked it side to side. The creaking is noticable when doing this. I get a small noise when I push down in the car, but is is very small.

I live in Arizona and it is in the low 100's and fairly high humity (20% is high for us). I haven't done a lot of crawling around (mainly because it is HOT out) so I thought i'd run it by you experts first.

Thanks!

AZDesertGS

iTrader: (4)

I'm gonna take a stab at it and say the rear springs......

rra640

Well, didn't think of that. Maybe rubbing metal to metal? Sounds like a job for WD-40?

AZDesertGS

iTrader: (4)

Spray some of that on the shock mounts as well....where the bolts slide through

rra640

Well, I sprayed every joint I could find and the noise is noticably better but not gone. I can still here the noise, but it is very faint. Any other ideas? I think this weekend I will pull the tires and really get a good shot at the springs.

rra640

I wish I had a stronger wife! She has trouble pushing down on the rear of the car hard enough for me to get under the car to find this creak.

From what I can tell…behind the rear wheel there are a number of places that it could be coming from.

1) The small tie rod. It’s brass color and aobut 6 inches in length. There is a bushing that might be dried out.
2) The bushing on the mount where the body attaches to the frame looks like it’s cracked, but doesn’t sound like this is where it’s coming from.
3) The wishbone shapped piece that provides the up/down motion near the wheel.

Anyone have any other ideas?? How can I find part numbers if I wanted to replace the bushing? Should I snub up the bolts a little?

rra640

The rear control arm bushings are cracked and with some WD40 they are quiet as can be. Can I buy just bushing and have them pressed at a shop? Anyone have the repair manual page with the instructions?

Adam2562

iTrader: (2)

check the swaybar bushing.... mine used to squeek on my Solara

rra640

The sway bar bushings look really good. No cracks and no play what so ever. Only bushings that are cracked are the rear control arm. Front look fine too.

DonJuan45i

My car creaks also, but in the front. it seems like it is most noticeable or at its worse when the car is barely moving, I dont think it does it when I get the car up to normal speeds.

I just got the car and I would like to know what the culprit is as well. I am going to try the wd-40 on the bushings when I get a chance. also have you found out if the you can simply just swap out the bushings??? Thanks