Please HELP! Noise driving me crazy!

pty370z · 10-18-2011, 11:12 AM

Hi guys,

Long-story short, I have a noise that, in the best of my judgment, is coming from the front driver's side suspension or drivetrain..

I can notice it very clearly while driving slow (between 1-15mph) as a squeaking sound, metal on metal.. The best way to describe it is similar to the way old springs sound on an old mattress in a bed.. Also happens when driving slowly over mildly irregular roads..

I can also notice it very clearly if I fully turn my steering wheel clock-wise and move either forward or in reverse.. Starts squeaking right away.. Sometimes not even fully turned.. Squeaks while standing still and turning the wheels and as I start moving as wheel.. Same noise..

Something else I've noticed is that when braking a little harder than average, I here a short "cracking" sound.. Almost feels as if something was going to fall apart.. Not ABS engagement as I'm not slamming on the brakes..

I'm worried it could translate into something worse, I have no idea what it is..

My Z is still under warranty, I've had the dealer check my suspension twice (but it's been done by the night shift at the dealer, they work 24/7 here in my country). I already scheduled for the day-shift to check the car but so far I've been told that they've seen NOTHING wrong with the suspension or drivetrain..

Any advise that could help finding the cause of this??

I feel unsafe driving the car like this... It really squeaks!

Thanks in advance!

kenchan · 10-18-2011, 11:28 AM

do you have aftermarket swaybars? check the bushing brackets, endlinks. i would also check a-arm and strut mounts.

pty370z · 10-18-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

do you have aftermarket swaybars? check the bushing brackets, endlinks. i would also check a-arm and strut mounts.

forgot to mention..

Everything in my suspension and brakes is bone stock.. No mods whatsoever..

kenchan · 10-18-2011, 12:39 PM

i saw EIBACH in your sig so thought it was modded... you have spacers then?

MattP725 · 10-18-2011, 01:45 PM

I'm thinking possibly the wheel bearing.

pty370z · 10-18-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i saw EIBACH in your sig so thought it was modded... you have spacers then?

I have Eibach springs at home waiting to be installed but haven't done it yet..

No spacers either..

Cmike2780 · 10-18-2011, 02:10 PM

-Check your front springs. Sometimes the rubber, isolation thing around the spring where it meets the shock strut can move out of place, in which case you have metal on metal noise when you go over a bump. I doubt the dealer removed the springs/strut to find out if that were the case, but it could be simply something that wasn't tightened enough.

It's likely somewhere in the suspension, but I would try and rule out anything stupid, like a loose panel or something. Did the dealer hear the noise you mention?

Red__Zed · 10-18-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

I'm thinking possibly the wheel bearing.

My thought as well.

pty370z · 10-21-2011, 03:43 PM

Dealer apparently solved the problem.. They just called me to say I could pick up my Z and the noise is gone..

They said they found a stone stuck in there that apparently was responsible for the noise.. I'll report back and confirm once I pick up and test..

Thanks for your suggestions..!!

10-18-2011, 11:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
pty370z Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 654 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 17	Please HELP! Noise driving me crazy! Hi guys, Long-story short, I have a noise that, in the best of my judgment, is coming from the front driver's side suspension or drivetrain.. I can notice it very clearly while driving slow (between 1-15mph) as a squeaking sound, metal on metal.. The best way to describe it is similar to the way old springs sound on an old mattress in a bed.. Also happens when driving slowly over mildly irregular roads.. I can also notice it very clearly if I fully turn my steering wheel clock-wise and move either forward or in reverse.. Starts squeaking right away.. Sometimes not even fully turned.. Squeaks while standing still and turning the wheels and as I start moving as wheel.. Same noise.. Something else I've noticed is that when braking a little harder than average, I here a short "cracking" sound.. Almost feels as if something was going to fall apart.. Not ABS engagement as I'm not slamming on the brakes.. I'm worried it could translate into something worse, I have no idea what it is.. My Z is still under warranty, I've had the dealer check my suspension twice (but it's been done by the night shift at the dealer, they work 24/7 here in my country). I already scheduled for the day-shift to check the car but so far I've been told that they've seen NOTHING wrong with the suspension or drivetrain.. Any advise that could help finding the cause of this?? I feel unsafe driving the car like this... It really squeaks! Thanks in advance! __________________ 2010 Solid Red 370Z * *Touring-Sport-6MT Black Interior Performance:** STILLEN * BERK * UR * MISHIMOTO * K&N * Z1 * ZSPEED * UPREV * DBA Interior: GT-R Red Start/Stop Button * MSA Floor Mats * PW:JDM Exterior: INGS+1 * SEIBON * FUJIMURA * PW:JDM * UAM * KICS * VOLK

10-18-2011, 02:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	-Check your front springs. Sometimes the rubber, isolation thing around the spring where it meets the shock strut can move out of place, in which case you have metal on metal noise when you go over a bump. I doubt the dealer removed the springs/strut to find out if that were the case, but it could be simply something that wasn't tightened enough. It's likely somewhere in the suspension, but I would try and rule out anything stupid, like a loose panel or something. Did the dealer hear the noise you mention? __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

10-21-2011, 03:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
pty370z Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Panama City, Panama Posts: 654 Drives: over the speed limit Rep Power: 17	Dealer apparently solved the problem.. They just called me to say I could pick up my Z and the noise is gone.. They said they found a stone stuck in there that apparently was responsible for the noise.. I'll report back and confirm once I pick up and test.. Thanks for your suggestions..!! __________________ 2010 Solid Red 370Z * *Touring-Sport-6MT Black Interior Performance:** STILLEN * BERK * UR * MISHIMOTO * K&N * Z1 * ZSPEED * UPREV * DBA Interior: GT-R Red Start/Stop Button * MSA Floor Mats * PW:JDM Exterior: INGS+1 * SEIBON * FUJIMURA * PW:JDM * UAM * KICS * VOLK

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10-18-2011, 11:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	do you have aftermarket swaybars? check the bushing brackets, endlinks. i would also check a-arm and strut mounts.

10-18-2011, 12:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i saw EIBACH in your sig so thought it was modded... you have spacers then?

10-18-2011, 01:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 16	I'm thinking possibly the wheel bearing.