Creaking noise while going slow and steering

[Mont-E]

There is a creaking noise when I'm driving slow and turning the steering, like in a parking lot. The same noise is there if I'm going straight and slowly over a speed bump.
What could be the possible causes for it? I'm going to take the tire off and do a visual. What exactly should I be looking, and if there's anything I can do to pin point the cause?

Secondly, what's this part called? (See attached, not my image but the best I could find)
There was a slight mark near the rubber bushing (almost like a wet spot) the last time I was switching the tires.

Thank you

[whataboutbob]

Answer to 2nd question: front sway bar bushing.


Answer to 1st question: Unclear. If sound is occurring during movement, I'd be looking to identify what movement (suspension and/or steering) is causing the sound, and isolate the movements to see when the sound occurs. If the car is standing still and you move the steering wheel, does it make the sound? If you're driving the car straight and you hit a speed bump, or a dip in the road, does the sound occur? I think you should try these things to see if the sound only occurs in one of the 2 tests to try to isolate the source of the sound.

[Flarpswitch]

Do you ever get a knocking or popping sound as well? If inspecting the bushings and joints don't turn up anything, you might check out the bearing on top of the struts. My '17 BRZ was out of warranty when I was finally able to pinpoint the problem, but I did have extended coverage and the dealer covered the deductible because the noise always goes away when the car goes to the shop.

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

I had the same problem and for me it was a very stiff endlink, albeit mine was aftermarket. You can replicate the sound by putting the car in the air and pushing the wheel up. Exact same symptoms in the situations you're describing. Does it go away for a day or two when it rains? I would say spray wd-40 into that spot and see if the sound goes away. If it does, there's your problem.

[Mont-E]

I raised the car and took the wheel out to have a better view. I didn't see any questionable areas, except for the attached pic.
I also tried moving the tire up/down and sideways and there wasn't any play.
The noise is there if I'm moving the steering while stationary, if I am driving and moving the steering and I noticed that I can turn the steering and if I let it go (to the center position) there's noise too. I'll mention that this noise is not always there and kinda random. I tried turning the steering while the car was up and driver's side front wheel was out, but couldn't replicate the noise. Tried several times.

Originally Posted by StraightOuttaCanadaEh

I had the same problem and for me it was a very stiff endlink, albeit mine was aftermarket. You can replicate the sound by putting the car in the air and pushing the wheel up. Exact same symptoms in the situations you're describing. Does it go away for a day or two when it rains? I would say spray wd-40 into that spot and see if the sound goes away. If it does, there's your problem.

I wasn't able to replicate the noise but I did WD40 the joints and any moving/attaching parts.

[Mont-E]

Originally Posted by Flarpswitch

Do you ever get a knocking or popping sound as well? If inspecting the bushings and joints don't turn up anything, you might check out the bearing on top of the struts. My '17 BRZ was out of warranty when I was finally able to pinpoint the problem, but I did have extended coverage and the dealer covered the deductible because the noise always goes away when the car goes to the shop.

No. Just the creaking. I posted above that the noise is there even when I'm stationary and turning the steering but I guess the strut could still be the issue as there's movement when turning the steering even when not moving forward/backward.
Is it called the "thrust bearing" what you are referring to?

Thank you

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

This was my noise when steering while stationary:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ej2xnxQln...j2cvcDZWbdhD5I

This was outside:

https://youtube.com/shorts/goIqtASEd...MgCn_VXFlCByvz

And this was the endlink responsible:

https://youtube.com/shorts/MgBm7K32Y...WvRCXjhup3rM8E

Posting them just in case. Keep in mind the noise at this point was at the terminal level, so it was very bad and ever present. It did start very occasionally and not so loud.

[Muskoka800]

Originally Posted by Mont-E

I raised the car and took the wheel out to have a better view. I didn't see any questionable areas, except for the attached pic.
I also tried moving the tire up/down and sideways and there wasn't any play.
The noise is there if I'm moving the steering while stationary, if I am driving and moving the steering and I noticed that I can turn the steering and if I let it go (to the center position) there's noise too. I'll mention that this noise is not always there and kinda random. I tried turning the steering while the car was up and driver's side front wheel was out, but couldn't replicate the noise. Tried several times.



I wasn't able to replicate the noise but I did WD40 the joints and any moving/attaching parts.

If nothing else, the swaybar bushings pictured are beyond finished. They should fit tight to the bar. No gaps.

[Mont-E]

Originally Posted by Muskoka800

If nothing else, the swaybar bushings pictured are beyond finished. They should fit tight to the bar. No gaps.

Ok, looks like I'll need to lift the whole car to replace these which means I'll have to take it to a shop. Is there anything else I can ask them to replace or verify while it's up there? The bushing seems like an easy enough job (if you have a lift), almost too small for the shop. Will probably ask them to replace both the bushings.

Thank you

[Muskoka800]

Originally Posted by Mont-E

Ok, looks like I'll need to lift the whole car to replace these which means I'll have to take it to a shop. Is there anything else I can ask them to replace or verify while it's up there? The bushing seems like an easy enough job (if you have a lift), almost too small for the shop. Will probably ask them to replace both the bushings.

Thank you

It is easily doable at home if you have a floor jack, two safety stands and a socket set. Maybe a one hour project for a rookie.

[smackrel]

Originally Posted by Muskoka800

It is easily doable at home if you have a floor jack, two safety stands and a socket set. Maybe a one hour project for a rookie.

Granted, I don't have any experience removing the sway bar on this chassis, but in past it has been difficult to remove because of the twisting and turning it requires. Sometime it is difficult to get the vehicle high enough to make room for all the twisting and turning required. They don't usually just slide straight out.

I'm not saying it will be difficult, but sometimes it is not nearly as easy as seems.

Reminds me of a saying:
"We don't do this because it is easy. We do it because we thought it would be easy"


lol

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Rear sway bar in the Twins is a breeze. Front sway bar is a bit of a pain, mostly due to the amount of underbody panels one needs to remove to access the mounts. After that's done the mounts are easy to disconnect. If you are only replacing the bushings you can leave the sway bar attached to the endlinks, but even if you want to remove the bar from the car there's nothing to twist and turn - it'll just drop right off.

[smackrel]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Rear sway bar in the Twins is a breeze. Front sway bar is a bit of a pain, mostly due to the amount of underbody panels one needs to remove to access the mounts. After that's done the mounts are easy to disconnect. If you are only replacing the bushings you can leave the sway bar attached to the endlinks, but even if you want to remove the bar from the car there's nothing to twist and turn - it'll just drop right off.

Good info! I wasn't sure if it was above the exhaust or not

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

So what was it? I need closure lol