Front suspension squeak / rattle

[jlong]

I have a stock '04 4dr w/52k and the front suspension started making strange low pitch squeaking noises over bumps and under heavy suspension travel, like going around a sharp curve in the road or over a speed bump. It isn't a popping sound like a bad cv shaft. It sounds more like a bushing or strut/shock (what ever is in the front.)

I haven't climbed under the car yet, I will this evening. Before I do, are there any guesses as to what the problem is?

Thanks,
John

[Trickyslick]

Yeah my 04 has the same and only 45,000 mile and I am sure it is already time for new struts...my guess.

[Gr1m]

yep that would most likely be your struts

[jlong]

Damn, I just had it aligned a couple months ago after I bought new tires. Oh well...

What would be a good replacement strut? I would like to keep the ride mostly stock. The simple answer is just get the same ones, but if they went bad in only 50k miles it seams the stock struts suck? Or do all struts just go bad after 50k?

Thanks.

[AGT]

get gabriel ultra ride. cheaper than KYB and have high pressure reaction compared to KYBs low pressure.

[jlong]

Well after driving around at lunch and going to the dealer, after I read this (http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4307&highlight=creaking+brakes), to purchase some lube I noticed that under extreme acceleration and cornering the noise isn't really there and the car is solid. It's only under soft to moderate acceleration or slower speeds that the noise is there and I don't really feel any vibration in the floor or steering wheel. So I am not really sure that it's the struts.

I think I'll do a front brake job and use this lube per the tsb and see what happens. I'll also inspect all the suspension parts for wear or loose bolts. I'll take pictures of anything is visually suspect.

Is there a way to repack the bearings?

[alerored04]

The bearings are an assembled piece, no way to get at them. Stupid GM.

[jlong]

Figures. The bearings on my Colorado are completely sealed in the hub assembly.

[Redog]

It's time for new struts

They have to be changed at 50K, it's not "Stupid GM" it's called vechile maintance

[jlong]

The stupid GM comment was about the bearings. As far at the struts go I will be replacing them and I guess the rear shocks/struts.

Aside from those what else should be replaced?

[alerored04]

maybe strut mounts. Mine are toast at 95,000 i wish i woulda done them when i lowered at 85,000. Not sure if those go from wear and tear or if lowering it messed em up. Not a major problem just an annoying creak when turning lock to lock.

[jlong]

Front
Strut - GABRIEL_ULTRA G55974 $58.99
Strut Cushion - GABRIEL 143060 $19.99
Susp Mount Kit - GABRIEL 142531 $57.99

Rear
Strut - GABRIEL_ULTRA G56501 $54.99
Strut Cushion - GABRIEL 143057 $19.99
Susp Mount Kit - GABRIEL 142532 $41.99

Subtotal $253.94
Tax $ 20.95
Total $274.89
Total if part number are not a pair $549.78

I got the part numbers from gabriel.com and the prices from autozone.com
Do I need 2 of each or are these prices for a pair? Also is the strut cushion part of the susp mount kit?

[jlong]

Ok, so I found out the prices are ea.
I called the dealer and they said the struts shouldn't need to be replaced at 50k and they would take a look and see what is causing the noise for $95

I called an local independent shop and they said the same thing, the struts shouldn't be bad at 50K. But they would trouble shoot it for free. But I don't want them to do any work, I will do the work. So I am not sure what they will charge to look at it. They said with parts and labor it would be $727.25 for front and rear struts w/alignment.

Also a person at the LAPS said they shouldn't be bad.

I guess my best bet would be to pay the dealer $95 to find out what is wrong and replace the bad parts my self. I'll let you know what the dealer says.

[sound_xtreme]

They have to be changed at 50K, it's not "Stupid GM" it's called vechile maintance

bullshit, mine were just fine well after 50k. hell mine were ok after 10k of coilover abuse

[Trickyslick]

Mine at 46,000 sound like shit and its not lowered and normal driving conditions, so some are good and some are bad...just going to fix it and lower it all at the same time.

[jlong]

Well it's $89.00 for the GMC Pontiac dealer to find out what is wrong. I scheduled to drop it off at their shop tomorrow morning. I'll let you all know what they find out.

[DUSTIN0285]

i am a mechanic in a gm dealership, and you need to lubricate the top of your front strut mounts.

[jlong]

Wow. You have possibly just saved me hundreds of dollars, for now anyway. What do you recommend I lube the strut mounts with?

Thanks!

[sound_xtreme]

ya, struts really shouldnt be making any noises unless you're REALLY lowered and are bottoming the struts out over bumps

[Pimpalero03]

u shouldnt have issues at that low of miles. i had mine for 4 years and 65,000 miles and never had a strut issue.

[clutch1]

My suspension squeeked until I put on springtech lowering springs, then it went away. That's just my experiecne though.

[sound_xtreme]

My suspension squeeked until I put on springtech lowering springs, then it went away. That's just my experiecne though.

your bearing and mounting plates were properly deseated a bit

[2fst4u]

any word yet?

[jlong]

Well with the comment about lubing the strut mount I chickened out taking it to the dealer. I can't justify $89 just to tell me something I think I already know. I will however get under the car tomorrow, if I can take the day off. If not it will be Saturday.

I will be replacing the pads, getting the rotors machined and applying lube to the caliper, so I'll have plenty of alone time with the cars front end.

[Gr1m]

i forgot to put the washer between the nut and the rubber piece at the top of the strut, if you have taken the strut apart look to see that the rubber is not rubbing against the metal nut or it will make squeaking noises when u turn at low speed, thats my experience.

[jlong]

Here are some pictures. Warning they are large.
https://www.pathfinderlld.com/car/

There are only 2 things that I see wrong. The sleeve around the strut on the drivers side was crushed in a little. And the grease around the CV axle where it goes into the transmission on the drivers side...

Let me know what you all think. I am just going to machine the rotors, clean everything with brake cleaner, lube the caliper piston/boot and put new pads on.

Nothing really jumps out at me.

I just had the trans filter changed and new fluid added. And they trans shop didn't see anything wrong.

[NjRef511]

Yea, struts at 50k is odd. I'm at 95k and mine are still fine. I'll probibally get new ones as well as springs at 100k when I have everything else done.

[jlong]

Well it's definitely the drivers side strut. When I push down on the front with the hood open I can hear the valve action on the passengers side but a faint squeak on the drivers side and no valve sound. I sure am glad I didn't take it to the dealer and loose $89. I think I am just going to do the front for now and wait until after the holidays to do the rear. This may be a dumb question but will I need an alignment after I put new struts on?

On a side note I had to buy new rotors because the stock ones were too thin. And the grease on the side of the transmission came right off with brake cleaner. I'll keep an eye on it over the next year for more seepage.

[cherrington17]

i had alot of squeeking coming from my front driver's size and they said my control arm bushing was ungreased... which i found really odd.

same thing.. over bumps, sharp turns.... but struts are more common, obviously

[sound_xtreme]

This may be a dumb question but will I need an alignment after I put new struts on?

yes.

and just because you push down and it squeeks doesnt mean it's a strut, theres a lot more moving parts in a suspension than just the strut...

[jlong]

But the most compelling reason I think the strut is bad is the valve sound you hear on the passenger side and the faint squeak on the drivers side with no valve sound.

I am going to replace them today along with the strut mount then get an alignment.

[jlong]

After getting the drivers side strut off, I found that it was bad. You could push it down with one finger and it wouldn't come back up immediately.

If you were wondering how hard it was. Well it was very easy. Just take the top bolt and 2 nuts off and take the bottom 2 bolts out and the whole strut/spring comes out, then compress the spring, take the nut off the top of the strut and put the spring and new hardware on the new strut. Uncompress the spring and pop it all back in.

I'll be getting an alignment tomorrow if possible.

Thanks for all the replies! I just hope this helps other people.

P.S. No more squeak noise!