AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

This problem has been present for the last year. It started on one side and was pretty quiet. It was a squeek more than anything but over the last year has progressed to a very loud creaking noise with any amount of movement on the steering wheel. It is also on both sides now. I put the car up on jackstands and turned the wheel end to end and it was completely silent. Still, I lubed everything I could see.

I have UMI RR K-member, UMI non adjustable lower a-arms, koni shocks, original springs and sway bar (and bushings I think...). Everything looked tight and in one piece. I have no idea what it could be. It sounds like the noise a creaky door makes when you open it reeeaaally slowly. It will sometimes make the creaky noise when I hit bumps slowly with wheels pointed straight, too.

dailydriver

Since you have an LT1 4th gen, did you check the steering shaft 'rag joint', as these ALWAYS seem to go bad on these cars??

There are companies which make rag joint eliminators for your bird IF that is the problem.

AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

I just read up on the rag joint. That sounds like more of a steering play solution than noisy steering solution. It sounds like I might as well go LS rack and pinion when the time comes anyway. The noise also seems to be coming from both wheels but since it's totally silent when the suspension is unloaded, I haven't been able to locate exactly where it's coming from yet.

dailydriver

I'm not so sure that the LS racks will work on an LT1 car.

I believe that the angle of the steering shaft mount off of the rack is TOTALLY different between the LS and the LT 4th gens.

Did you check to make sure that the ball joints and tie rod ends are well greased, IF you have replaced ones with a zerk fitting and not the original, sealed factory ones.

If the latter, check them to see if they are binding/shot.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Dry tie rod end? I didn't see you mention that at all. My Trailblazer sounded really creaky after it had been in the shop for an alignment and new tie rod end put on, found it was because they forgot to grease it. Pumped it full and it quieted right up.

AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

Didn't know that could happen to tie rod ends. I guess it's narrowed down to those and the ball joints then? Pretty sure they're not stock ball joints. I did all this suspension back in 2007 and haven't even touched it since.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, check all those, grease them if they haven't been (assuming they have grease fittings).

dailydriver

MOST of the aftermarket replacement ones do have the zerk fittings (I KNOW the Moogs do).

Not sure about dealer/GM, or AC Delco though.

AdsoYo

iTrader: (1)

got the car to the suspension shop and they said since it creaks with the suspension loaded and is silent when the car's in the air, it's dry ball joints. They shot some grease into the joints and now it's quiet as a church mouse!

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Called it!