fryer

I've been on RSR half downs for about a year. Going over speed bumps and dips in the road causes the front end to creek quite a bit with the suspension travel. Is this an upper bushing causing this? Has anyone had this problem? I've read about pre mature wear from lowering. Any input would be helpful

E46CT

Would be helpful to see a video. Half down is a very mild drop... not sure if that caused the bushing to load too much. Maybe it's something else? which side does it? Visually inspect the upper arm bushings. look for signs of tearing or wear/mushrooming, etc. Take pics

fryer

Update: Turns out to be the lower control arm bushings are worn out and that's what is causing the noise. They lubed them really good which got rid of almost all the noise. Hoping to find some lower A-Arms with poly bushings but not sure if they exist.

MasonGrey

iTrader: (2)

There's the USRS from RR-Racing. There are a few threads about it in the 3IS and ISF discussions.

E46CT

Interesting. Your bushings busted in two months? I wonder if Lexus would replace them? At least ask! Poly CABs might introduce too much noise vibration and harshness.

fryer

I've been lowered for quite some time and have about 35,000 miles on these RSR springs. The front end does take a bit of a beating especially on some of the roads running 225's on the front with 20's.

fryer

After taking the car to my friends shop for a second opinion and looking at the a arm bushings there is absolutely nothing wrong with them so the first shop just flat out lied to me. My conclusion is that my struts are likely shot as they take pre-mature wear from being compressed more than normal to fit the lowering springs and after taking my car off the lift the noise just about went away but comes right back after being on the ground for a while which leads me back to the strut as it was all the way uncompressed being on the lift then the noise just about goes away then comes back after being on the ground for a while.

CLUM

While it's certainly possible your shocks are blown, they wouldn't be my first guess based on the information you provided because 1) 1 year isn't very long for shocks to go out 2) the .5" or whatever drop Half downs are is a super mild drop 3) shocks usually make a knocking noise when blown (and leak) instead of making a creaking noise.

Have you checked your shocks for oil around where the piston comes out of the shock body?
I would also try to do more troubleshooting before replacing an expensive part like shocks. I would loosen each bolt that was touched during the install and retorque them all, including lubing the bushings to see if it makes a difference.... A creaking noise makes me think something needs to be greased/lubed instead of a blown shock.

Typically, creaking/squeaking noises are rubber/bushing noises and blown shocks are knocking noises.