Squeaking / Creaking rear suspension with low ride height? Suspension pros welcome!

[mothespaceman]

Hey guys,

I've been having this creaky / squeaky rear suspension issue that I've been trying to resolve since I've installed my coilovers. In fact, I had another thread more directly related to the coilovers themselves... but I feel like this might apply to those of you who ride pretty low and hopefully I can get some good feedback!

So, heres the deal:

- The creaking noise sounds like a rubber on metal, or maybe rubber on rubber type sound that comes predominately from the right rear of the car. It sounds like it is mostly on the rebound stroke.

- The sound most commonly occurs when decelerating over fast rebounding bumps, I am unable to recreate the sound unless im driving / decelerating over small bumps in the road.

- When it is raining, or the suspension is wet, the noise is completely nonexistent (or seems to be)

Here's what I've checked:

- Suspension preload is correctly set.

- Checked virtually every nut and bolt related to the coilovers themselves, and the install.

- There is NO tire rub.

- I took it to All Pro Subaru and they couldn't seem to diagnose the problem, though I think they may have not looked too thoroughly as they couldn't recreate the sound (because it was raining). I DID ask them to re index the bushings, but I can't attest that this was fully done.

- I DID raise the suspension 5mm on all four corners which dramatically reduced the occurrence of the noise, but it's still there.

Because I am a complete noob, I did not measure before / after to get an accurate measurement of the difference in ride height (stock to now). But it's right at 340-345mm from the fender to the center of the wheel (this could be a bit off due to measuring into convex wheels).

Any help is greatly appreciated! Have any of you slammed guys had this issue?

[PNW FRS]

I'm in the same boat... coilovers went on last Monday and there is definitely some minor creaking-like sounds -- both front and rear. I've double-checked like you have.

I only dropped 1.25 inches, so not a crazy amount -- hoping this isn't a problem with remaining OEM suspension components.

I'm taking mine in for an alignment on Thursday AM... wondering if some of these low-speed annoying sounds will be taken care of by the alignment...

Stay tuned...

[mothespaceman]

Originally Posted by PNW FRS

I'm in the same boat... coilovers went on last Monday and there is definitely some minor creaking-like sounds -- both front and rear. I've double-checked like you have.

I'm taking mine in for an alignment on Thursday AM... wondering if some of these low-speed annoying sounds will be taken care of by the alignment...

Stay tuned...

Let me know if you find anything, the little squeaks here and there for me are no big deal, but this creak...

[PNW FRS]

Originally Posted by mothespaceman

Let me know if you find anything, the little squeaks here and there for me are no big deal, but this creak...

Alignment done. 99% of the minor "creaking" sounds are gone. I believe the little bit I'm hearing during very low speed maneuvering over dips, lips, etc. are attributed to minor noises from the coilovers (e.g., minor movement of springs).

Kind of small side note... one of the most annoying noises (an intermittent "buzzing" that varied with speed and road conditions) ended up being two missing push-pin fasteners for the right-rear fuel tank protector. New push-pin fasteners installed... "Bob's your uncle!"

My complete narrative of coilover mod can be found here.

Good luck with resolution of your noises.

[mothespaceman]

Originally Posted by PNW FRS

Alignment done. 99% of the minor "creaking" sounds are gone. I believe the little bit I'm hearing during very low speed maneuvering over dips, lips, etc. are attributed to minor noises from the coilovers (e.g., minor movement of springs).

Kind of small side note... one of the most annoying noises (an intermittent "buzzing" that varied with speed and road conditions) ended up being two missing push-pin fasteners for the right-rear fuel tank protector. New push-pin fasteners installed... "Bob's your uncle!"

My complete narrative of coilover mod can be found here.

Good luck with resolution of your noises.

Thanks dude! I'm sorting out my ride height and then I'll be getting it aligned. It seems most of that noise has gone away.

[Figo]

Originally Posted by mothespaceman

Hey guys,

I've been having this creaky / squeaky rear suspension issue that I've been trying to resolve since I've installed my coilovers. In fact, I had another thread more directly related to the coilovers themselves... but I feel like this might apply to those of you who ride pretty low and hopefully I can get some good feedback!

So, heres the deal:

- The creaking noise sounds like a rubber on metal, or maybe rubber on rubber type sound that comes predominately from the right rear of the car. It sounds like it is mostly on the rebound stroke.

- The sound most commonly occurs when decelerating over fast rebounding bumps, I am unable to recreate the sound unless im driving / decelerating over small bumps in the road.

- When it is raining, or the suspension is wet, the noise is completely nonexistent (or seems to be)

Here's what I've checked:

- Suspension preload is correctly set.

- Checked virtually every nut and bolt related to the coilovers themselves, and the install.

- There is NO tire rub.

- I took it to All Pro Subaru and they couldn't seem to diagnose the problem, though I think they may have not looked too thoroughly as they couldn't recreate the sound (because it was raining). I DID ask them to re index the bushings, but I can't attest that this was fully done.

- I DID raise the suspension 5mm on all four corners which dramatically reduced the occurrence of the noise, but it's still there.

Because I am a complete noob, I did not measure before / after to get an accurate measurement of the difference in ride height (stock to now). But it's right at 340-345mm from the fender to the center of the wheel (this could be a bit off due to measuring into convex wheels).

Any help is greatly appreciated! Have any of you slammed guys had this issue?

Exactly the same issue here.
The squeak will gone at raining days. and back st sunny days.
Only hear it at low speed when I hit bumps, and every time I park and get out off the car.

[murdoc]

Maybe sway bar bushings? Maybe hit them with a bit of spray lube and see if it goes away? Or loosen and then re-tighten them with the suspension loaded?

[wparsons]

Did you loosen the LCA bolts and then torque them down with the car at resting height? There is some pre-load on the bushings if they're torqued down with the suspension under droop.

[babyface]

same problrem here..
i can hear the clunk noise on slowing down to complete stop..
im running bc coils.. been to the shop already.. all is tight and good. but couldnt find where the sound is coming from. is this normal??

[NyC Zn6]

im lowered 3+ inches and I get the same sound on STANCE SS coilovers.

[ultra]

Rear swaybar preload issue maybe. Try adjustable end links?

Thing is I have a rear swap with adjustable links on them and still get the creaking. Could be set up wrong though. : /