Subtle creaking noise on entry

Vaughanabe13 · 08-04-2011, 08:34 AM

There is something I've noticed about my Z since I bought it. When I first sit in the cockpit (and sometimes when I exit) I usually hear a quick little metallic "creak" coming from what sounds to be the left rear wheel. I weigh under 180 so I'm not all that heavy or anything, and I make sure to enter the vehicle very slowly and gently. Obviously if I plop down the noise is a little louder. So is this normal or not normal and what should I do?

cheshirecat · 08-04-2011, 09:43 AM

Could be the rear spring buckets/camber arm mounts being a little dry. You could always just hold your hand on the hardware in the rear and have someone get in/out of the car a couple of times. You should be able to "feel" the sound coming off of the part that's causing the creeking.

Then, just spray the joint down with some decent LUUUUUBE and see if that fixes it.

Bromotoz · 08-04-2011, 10:33 AM

In for answers, I have the same issue. I haven’t gotten around to investigating what component the noise is coming from.

AlphaSnacks · 08-04-2011, 11:23 AM

That's just the handbrake...mine makes the same noise. Leave the car in gear when you park it and try getting in and out and it stops.

Does for me, at least.

kenchan · 08-04-2011, 11:39 AM

yah, i think it's your rear drums making that noise. try it by parking your car in 1st or reverse (after your engine is shut down ofcourse!) and no e-brake. probably wont make the noise.

Vaughanabe13 · 08-04-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold K.

That's just the handbrake...mine makes the same noise. Leave the car in gear when you park it and try getting in and out and it stops.

Does for me, at least.

I'll try it out. Do you think it could be from not pulling the handbrake up hard enough?

Vaughanabe13 · 08-04-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, i think it's your rear drums making that noise. try it by parking your car in 1st or reverse (after your engine is shut down ofcourse!) and no e-brake. probably wont make the noise.

But wouldn't I want to leave the parking brake on normally? Or are you just saying that's how I should test it to see if the parking brake is the problem?

vividracing · 08-04-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

But wouldn't I want to leave the parking brake on normally? Or are you just saying that's how I should test it to see if the parking brake is the problem?

Personally, I always park MT cars with the engine in gear and the brake on. 1 or the other is all you need, but I'm a little anal about things like that. What if your parking brake lets loose somehow? I also don't like the idea of my transmission holding the weight of my car if I park on a slope.

Bromotoz · 08-04-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold K.

That's just the handbrake...mine makes the same noise. Leave the car in gear when you park it and try getting in and out and it stops.

Does for me, at least.

I just tried this. It stopped the noise! Thanks Arnold.

Vaughanabe, I am willing to bet it will work for you as well.

Bromotoz · 08-04-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

I'll try it out. Do you think it could be from not pulling the handbrake up hard enough?

I pull on my handbrake very hard, every time, and get the noise. So not sure if that is your problem.

___

However, I wonder if this noise means something is loose? Or is it just typical friction on the PB drum?

Vaughanabe13 · 08-04-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bromotoz

I just tried this. It stopped the noise! Thanks Arnold.

Vaughanabe, I am willing to bet it will work for you as well.

Just went out to the lot and tried it. Unfortunately when I got in the car in neutral it wasn't making the noise right now, so putting it in gear didn't really matter in this case. I'll try it when I get home, it usually happens in my garage.

kenchan · 08-04-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

But wouldn't I want to leave the parking brake on normally? Or are you just saying that's how I should test it to see if the parking brake is the problem?

i usually do, but in the winter time on my dd i dont use ebrake to park unless it's on a slope. because e-brakes sometimes freezes if the condition is right.

daisuke149 · 08-04-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bromotoz

I pull on my handbrake very hard, every time, and get the noise. So not sure if that is your problem.

___

However, I wonder if this noise means something is loose? Or is it just typical friction on the PB drum?

most people have complained that the 370z e-brake isnt tight enough and get it adjusted. if im on a slight medium slope and pull the ebrake my car just slides down.

Boost_lee · 08-04-2011, 01:39 PM

Handbrake. Try tightening it using the diy here on the forum

08-04-2011, 08:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vaughanabe13 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 387 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 13	Subtle creaking noise on entry There is something I've noticed about my Z since I bought it. When I first sit in the cockpit (and sometimes when I exit) I usually hear a quick little metallic "creak" coming from what sounds to be the left rear wheel. I weigh under 180 so I'm not all that heavy or anything, and I make sure to enter the vehicle very slowly and gently. Obviously if I plop down the noise is a little louder. So is this normal or not normal and what should I do? __________________ 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

08-04-2011, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bromotoz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Georgia Posts: 81 Drives: the wild blue yonder Rep Power: 15	In for answers, I have the same issue. I haven’t gotten around to investigating what component the noise is coming from. __________________ 09 Z - Monterey Blue - T/S - 6MT - Persimmon - Navi - F.I. Non-Res CBE - Swifts - Z1 20mm Spacers, Post MAF, SS Brake Lines

08-04-2011, 01:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	Handbrake. Try tightening it using the diy here on the forum __________________ My TT Z

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08-04-2011, 09:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	Could be the rear spring buckets/camber arm mounts being a little dry. You could always just hold your hand on the hardware in the rear and have someone get in/out of the car a couple of times. You should be able to "feel" the sound coming off of the part that's causing the creeking. Then, just spray the joint down with some decent LUUUUUBE and see if that fixes it.

08-04-2011, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
AlphaSnacks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 1,618 Drives: '13 XKR-S, '10 370Z Rep Power: 18	That's just the handbrake...mine makes the same noise. Leave the car in gear when you park it and try getting in and out and it stops. Does for me, at least.

08-04-2011, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	yah, i think it's your rear drums making that noise. try it by parking your car in 1st or reverse (after your engine is shut down ofcourse!) and no e-brake. probably wont make the noise.