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Post by JimW on Dec 20, 2004 10:40:30 GMT -6
In the cold weather of the winter I have found that my passenger front steering assembly (at the tire/wheel) makes a clear creaking noise. It only occurs at low speeds when turning (ie parking). Its unrelated to the Magnasteer vibration which I dont seem to suffer from to badly, but this creaking/groaning noise is quite troubling.
I had a feeling it may be just lubrication, but its been lubricated in the past and seems fine upon visual inspection. The CV boot is fine, all the control arms seem ok, so I think its just metal contraction due to the extreme cold that is causing this noise.
Anyone else experiencing this? Any ideas?
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 20, 2004 14:50:17 GMT -6
its probably the same as what i still have. its only when going slow speeds and when stopping. you have 20k more miles than me and its not the CV, so thats good. could u maybe take a vid of it so i can hear it? i am gonna have my mom take one of mine. its very annoying, and embarrasing. the new exhaust kind of takes it away though, lol.
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Post by erw38 on Dec 20, 2004 15:40:19 GMT -6
Just a guess here, but do you think it could be the intermediate steering shaft? I know you said that it is on the passenger side, but who knows. Still might be an issue.
Also, for your antenna, I have read (I read to much) that you may want to wipe it with a damp cloth and then wipe it dry. It might be worth a try. Good luck with it.
By the way, I might have the same creaking problem. I was thinking it may be contributed to the power steering in some form. I don't have the money to check it out, so I live.
Also here is an unrelated question, have you or anyone that you know of replaced their front shocks?
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Post by Rocketv8 on Dec 20, 2004 17:32:32 GMT -6
it was very cold here today...9 degrees this morning when i left for work....i noticed the same type of "creaking" noise coming from my front end....it happens alot when i turn or go over a bump....i was thinking its a bad shock, but the steering seems really strange when it gets real cold...noisy and kind of "creaky"
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Post by JimW on Dec 20, 2004 18:16:55 GMT -6
I took a quick peek underneath my car today and couldnt see anything visually that would make that kinda noise. So for now I chalk it up to metal contraction due to cold weather....
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 20, 2004 18:51:07 GMT -6
Ouch...9 degrees start-up time, lots of start-up engine wear there unless your using synthetic. It was worth the 75 dollars i think for mobil 1 that i paid. its so much smoother running now, its amazing.
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Post by JimW on Dec 20, 2004 19:53:13 GMT -6
Yep synth is great for that kinda thing, I used my block heater and stick with the regular oil.... That creaking sound sure is embarrasing tho.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 20, 2004 19:57:38 GMT -6
yeah, it is like hell. Such a nice car and that ******* going on outside. Now the exhaust kinda masks it though at least.
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Post by BlackButy on Dec 21, 2004 13:06:47 GMT -6
Hmmmm, I've got something similar, but not a "creaking" but a "clunking". I noticed it when I test drove the car, and the dealer put 2 new "busings" under the front and it seemed to help(for about a week). When I make harder turns left or right and hit any kind of a bump, it clunks from under the front. Not a clue what it is??
JimW: I may have missed something regarding your antenna, but if you are looking to lubricate it, My dad told me to take waxed paper, wrap it around the antenna while extended and rub up and down. It cleans and lubricates the antenna shaft at the same time. (so he says) He said that any type of oil lubricant attracts dust and dirt and eventually will cause the antenna to bog down. The light wax from the paper is all that is needed, and it's dry!
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Post by JimW on Dec 21, 2004 14:11:55 GMT -6
Thanks for the information BB. But it appears to be all cold related. My antenna works fine when the temp is above -10C and the creaking is gone today. Ironically the air temperature is +2C (30 degrees higher then it was yesterday....winter for ya ) I'll keep you all up to speed, but the Aurora succumbs to the cold very easily
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 21, 2004 14:45:13 GMT -6
yeah jim i hate having to run my aurora in the cold, i know it doesnt like it.
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scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Dec 21, 2004 15:50:12 GMT -6
When I make harder turns left or right and hit any kind of a bump, it clunks from under the front. Not a clue what it is?? That sounds like bad sway bar endlinks. Cheap part and a fairly easy fix, if that ends up being the problem... I had the same issue on my old '98 Bonneville. Read this thread over at BC Forums; lots of good discussion on these kind of creaky, clanky front end problems: www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5791
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Post by erw38 on Dec 21, 2004 15:50:43 GMT -6
Hmmmm, I've got something similar, but not a "creaking" but a "clunking". I noticed it when I test drove the car, and the dealer put 2 new "busings" under the front and it seemed to help(for about a week). When I make harder turns left or right and hit any kind of a bump, it clunks from under the front. Not a clue what it is? Sounds to me like the issue is CV joint related. The "bushings" the delear installed was probably just a bunch of grease so that it would lubricate and mask the sound. You might wat to get the CV joint checked out. You can also pull your wheel and look at the rubber boot encased thingy to see if it is packed in grease (in indeed the boot is cracked).
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Post by JimW on Jan 20, 2005 23:26:26 GMT -6
Well, this problem has gotten worse for me. Yes its been -17*C to -25*C (very cold...trust me) but now it sounds like something has come loose. Whenever I hit a divet in the road or anything not level, I hear a rattle sound, as if something is off. Driving is not negatively affected but its disconcerting to say the least. Going in tomorrow to have it looked at. My GM tech mechanic today when I was there (filling up my tire with air, its so damn cold all the outside service station pumps are out of order) informed me that it could possibly be dried out bushings. I'm hoping its nothing serious. I checked my axle shaft and CV boot, they are both intact. I'll keep y'all up to speed
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Post by Letitroll98 on Jan 20, 2005 23:46:19 GMT -6
Thanks Jim, me too on both counts. The creaking is minor, but is present when cold, or even if warm, but the car is cold. Warm temps and the creaking goes away when the car warms up. My antena didn't fully go up the other day as well. Cold day that had a lot of condensation from the warm day before. No antenna problem since even in very cold temps. Creaking continues. Please advise what your mech says as I'm going in for brakes anyway. (Do we have a smiley that has money with wings on it flying away?)
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Post by JimW on Jan 20, 2005 23:55:58 GMT -6
I hope not...I have a HUGE purchase coming up shortly (see Around the WC thread I posted) and I really cant afford a big steering repair.
We had a milder day on Wednesday (-2*C or 30F) and the creaking was not present, but the rattling was.
Its probaby sway bar or endlinks or bushings.
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Post by auroralover on Jan 22, 2005 19:11:38 GMT -6
I have the same creaking in my 97 when it gets really cold, but goes away when it warms up to, say 30 degrees.
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Post by JimW on Jan 23, 2005 13:45:16 GMT -6
Is it audible from outside the car? I cant tell, when my girlfriend turned the wheel I could only hear power steering noise and the snow under the tires But ya, 30*F or -2*C+ and it goes away....I still suspect dry bushings or something. Perhaps some of the metal contracts so much something gets loose...oh well, she goes in tomorrow.
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Post by JimW on Jan 24, 2005 14:54:48 GMT -6
Update:
No problemo here, everything is ok, its cold related, metal contraction but no mechanical failure at all.
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 11, 2005 15:46:06 GMT -6
I've run into the same problem with my 95. I replaced the front bushings because they were definitely shot. Shortly after that the creaking/cracking/popping sound got noticably worse. But the temperature where I live has also been colder, so replacing the bushings might have had nothing to do with it.
I found a post on automotiveforums.com which covers this problem and it took care of it for me. All you need to do is get a can of silicon spray, not petrolium based spray, only silicon spray. Locate the top end of the struts under the hood. There are three nuts (or bolts depending upon the year) around a large opening with a black rubber bushing that has a large nut in the center. Liberally spray the silicon in this area coating the rubber bushing as well as the center area where the large nut is located.
I sprayed both sides about six times each, waiting for about 10 minutes between applications for the silicon to wick under the rubber bushing. I used the entire can for both struts. The problem was gone the next morning and has not yet returned.
From what I have read, this is a pretty common problem and you will probably have to repeat the process every couple of years. The sound that I was hearing certainly sounded like metal on metal, but this procedure took care of it. Based on what the strut assembly looks like, it could be that the bushing dries out and starts making noise, or the strut bearing (yes there is such a part) loses lubrication that needs to be replaced.
In any case, a $4 can of silicon spray is easy to try and is much cheaper than having suspension or steering parts needlessly replaced.
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Post by Letitroll98 on Mar 11, 2005 20:00:52 GMT -6
Cool!!!! I'm gonna try this tommorrow. As I take it this has been a common problem with Classics, and no one seems to have a pat answer. Excellent info IT, even if it doesn't work I'm out a can of silicone lube, big deal. I'll report on the progress.
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Post by JimW on Mar 12, 2005 8:32:20 GMT -6
Yes! thank you indeed IT.
I'll be doing that this weekend.
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Post by Letitroll98 on Mar 15, 2005 10:38:15 GMT -6
Well, I don't know what to say on this one. It seems to have helped somewhat. On small amplitude bumps (rough pavement) the sound is gone. On large amplitude bumps (speed bumps) it's still there, but not quite as bad. And by not as bad I mean the noise is still prominent, but not as grating in sound and it's a teany bit quieter. I may look for some points to lube from below.
Note that I did follow the proceedure outlined by ITGeek to the letter, but it didn't use up even half the can of silicone lube. It's very easy to see the stuff pool then wick down, so I saw no need to spray more than I did. I'll keep trying as there was some success.
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Post by JimW on Mar 15, 2005 14:30:18 GMT -6
Havent tried it yet, is it recommended to do it in milder dry weather? Its still pretty cold here at night and during the day we arent seeing temps higher then 35F (2C). That being said, once it warms up the problem goes away I'll apply the spray regardless and see what happens.
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 15, 2005 14:34:00 GMT -6
I'm not certain how much has to get to what parts, only that a good soaking seems to take care of the problem. Unfortunately, not knowing exacly what part is making the noise makes this technique inexeact. However, if it is the strut bearing, it is buried under that big bushing and maybe only a small portion of the lube is actually getting to the correct spot. There might be a more precise way of getting the lube where it belongs.
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Post by JimW on Mar 16, 2005 16:52:36 GMT -6
OK, I have applied my silicon based lubricant to the top of the strut on the tower as per ITGeeks instructions. No noise, however the temperature this afternoon was +5C (40 ish F? I guess) anyway, tonight is supposed to be cold, so I will be listening for creaking tomorrow morning. If there is none then I guess it will have worked.... So I wait
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Post by Letitroll98 on Mar 16, 2005 17:53:47 GMT -6
It worked, it worked!!! Yipee!! I don't know if it was the extra time or the added application today, but no noise at all even over the big speed bump at the grocery store. Nasty, offish women cutting you off in the parking lot when you're trying to be nice and let a pedestrian cross remain, however. Even that didn't dampen my enthusiasim for a cheap fix that works.
One thing I noticed, the whole assembly above the bearing, the "black thingy" that we're inundating in silicone lube, raised up aprox. 1/16 to 1/8" (a few mm), exposing a very small gap of the same dimension, Just as if something free'd up allowing the bearing to move properly. Rebound over small bumps appears to be a little better as well, but this is too subjective to judge.
All in all, one of the best tips offered on the site ITgeek. Great job!
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Post by JimW on Mar 16, 2005 17:58:21 GMT -6
Encouraging results!
Thanks!
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Post by JimW on Mar 17, 2005 9:23:00 GMT -6
Update
I noticed moderate improvement this morning. I still need to apply more lubricant, but so far so good.
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 18, 2005 15:21:00 GMT -6
It is really beginning to sound like the strut bearing is the culprit here. It is buried underneath that black rubber thing, and is also covered from the underside by the strut cover. So it could take some time and possibly multiple applications to get the thing properly lubricated. If this works long term, then it would probably be good practice to do this treatment yearly, probably in the fall before the cold weather hits.
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