Strange creaking after LCA and relo bracket install
03-06-2009, 06:06 PM
#1
Strange creaking after LCA and relo bracket install I got a set of tubular poly bushing LCAs and relocation brackets a couple weeks ago, and installed them exactly one week ago. Everything was fine for the first few days. Perfectly silent, not a peep out of it, and it behaved great. I didn't drive the car for 3 days or so, and I hop in yesterday, and now the back (I'm getting its the new parts because its a different noise) is creaking. Not loud but noticeable. Basically it happens every time I turn (at all), or shift, or go over a decent sized bump.
I tried greasing the LCAs up more, but it didn't do anything for the noise. I'm going to check the bolts at a shop tomorrow to make sure they're torqued down right (72 ft/lbs).
Does anyone have any other ideas I can do to get rid of this creaking...?
I tried greasing the LCAs up more, but it didn't do anything for the noise. I'm going to check the bolts at a shop tomorrow to make sure they're torqued down right (72 ft/lbs).
Does anyone have any other ideas I can do to get rid of this creaking...?
03-06-2009, 08:59 PM
#2
TECH Apprentice
You can try torquing the bolts down more if you find nothing else wrong. I believe that some manuals say to put 80ft/lbs on them or even more if you have bolt-in SFCs (as much as 100ft/lbs). I cranked mine down pretty good and mine have been silent since I put them in.
03-06-2009, 09:18 PM
#3
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torque them to 100ft-lbs like the other guy said and see if it helps. With the thicker relocation bracket you need to tighten the bolts more. I had poly LCAs with relocation brackets and bolt in SFCs and I had an annoying popping like sound when going over speed bumps, going off of curbs/down driveways, and when making right turns. I tightened the crap out of the bolts, had the SFCs welded in, lubed the bushings and nothing helped. Now I have rod ended LCAs and panhard bar, so no more problem.
03-07-2009, 08:42 PM
#7
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Did you preload the suspension before you tightened down the bolts? I can't think of anything else that would cause them to make noises. Are they new or did you buy them used? Maybe the poly is worn out if they are used.
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03-07-2009, 10:54 PM
#8
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My LCA relocation brackets are causing the same issue with me as well. Mine like to make that creaking noice over speed bumps. I tightened mine to the specified torque in the install directions.
03-08-2009, 12:19 AM
#9
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**** the torque spec get them tighter until they stop. I did mine as tight as i could. On more thing did you torq them with a load on the rear end or the rear end hanging? You want a load on them.
03-08-2009, 11:35 PM
#12
Chassis flex or bushing bind since the poly control arm bushings allow very little articulation (twisting from left to right of control arms) so something going to move whether it wants to, or not.
Solution:
DKT, J&M Hotparts, or any traditional double rodend control arms. All of these have great articulation!
The best bang for the buck would be the J&Ms with the 3 piece poly ball; perfectly quiet!
Traditional double rodend control arms will work good, if added noise is of no concern.
Imo, the best option is the DKTs w/double Johnny Joints; fully rebuildable and perfectly quiet!
Solution:
DKT, J&M Hotparts, or any traditional double rodend control arms. All of these have great articulation!
The best bang for the buck would be the J&Ms with the 3 piece poly ball; perfectly quiet!
Traditional double rodend control arms will work good, if added noise is of no concern.
Imo, the best option is the DKTs w/double Johnny Joints; fully rebuildable and perfectly quiet!
Last edited by 99Bluz28; 03-08-2009 at 11:59 PM.
03-09-2009, 02:33 AM
#15
Well I'm thinking back.. and I might have been wrong. I did have a creaking sound before I put the LCAs and Relo brackets in, but it was a slightly different sound. I think the LCAs and relo brackets altered it.
So other than buying more parts, what is my option for fixing it?
So other than buying more parts, what is my option for fixing it?
03-10-2009, 03:38 PM
#17
UPDATE:
So I took the time today, and put the car on ramps and tightened the bolts more.
And I stripped one of them. So I went out and bought some grate 8 bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. For all of them. Took all of these to a 100 ft/lbs and greased the bushings more. No noise on the test drive. I'll update at the end of my 45 mile commute tonight.
So I took the time today, and put the car on ramps and tightened the bolts more.
And I stripped one of them. So I went out and bought some grate 8 bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. For all of them. Took all of these to a 100 ft/lbs and greased the bushings more. No noise on the test drive. I'll update at the end of my 45 mile commute tonight.
03-10-2009, 04:42 PM
#19
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UPDATE:
So I took the time today, and put the car on ramps and tightened the bolts more.
And I stripped one of them. So I went out and bought some grate 8 bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. For all of them. Took all of these to a 100 ft/lbs and greased the bushings more. No noise on the test drive. I'll update at the end of my 45 mile commute tonight.
So I took the time today, and put the car on ramps and tightened the bolts more.
And I stripped one of them. So I went out and bought some grate 8 bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. For all of them. Took all of these to a 100 ft/lbs and greased the bushings more. No noise on the test drive. I'll update at the end of my 45 mile commute tonight.
good deal