[tetra]

I posted this on FF and got a bit of advice, but I wanted to know what you guys think. So I have a 1.5" FRPP drop. Since last weekend, I've been hearing a noise coming from the front somewhere. It's kind of like a creaking noise. When I crank my wheel from one side to the other, like positioning myself to backup, that is when the sound is the worst. When I go slow and straight, if I go over a few bumps I can hear it. It almost sounds as if something is loose. The car still handles well and I don't feel anything else besides that.

I don't have jacks and stuff unfortunately to check, I will have to arrange something I guess. I will probably go into a dealer but I'm afraid if it's suspension related or CV joints or something they will give me a hard time because of the drop. This really sucks.

[castone]

Sounds to me (IMO) like the strut tower bearing.

[tetra]

I feel the looseness towards my feet though?

[ZTWsquared]

tetra,Apr 7 2010, 05:14 PM Wrote:I posted this on FF and got a bit of advice, but I wanted to know what you guys think. So I have a 1.5" FRPP drop. Since last weekend, I've been hearing a noise coming from the front somewhere. It's kind of like a creaking noise. When I crank my wheel from one side to the other, like positioning myself to backup, that is when the sound is the worst. When I go slow and straight, if I go over a few bumps I can hear it. It almost sounds as if something is loose. The car still handles well and I don't feel anything else besides that.

I don't have jacks and stuff unfortunately to check, I will have to arrange something I guess. I will probably go into a dealer but I'm afraid if it's suspension related or CV joints or something they will give me a hard time because of the drop. This really sucks.
[right][snapback]304732[/snapback][/right]

Did you also install front camber plates when you dropped it? If so your spring might have slipped out of the strut bearing and the noise you're hearing could be the spring itself or the strut bearing beginning to fail.

Edit: I see the strut bearing was already mentioned.

[tetra]

I'll have to go look. So if I pop my hood, the strut tower portion shouldn't move at all right? If the strut tower bearing was failing there would be movement? I'll have to find someone with jack and stands this weekend to have an inspection underneath. This is really bugging me. Everything that came with the FRPP kit was installed as well.

[ZTWsquared]

tetra,Apr 7 2010, 07:18 PM Wrote:I'll have to go look. So if I pop my hood, the strut tower portion shouldn't move at all right? If the strut tower bearing was failing there would be movement? I'll have to find someone with jack and stands this weekend to have an inspection underneath. This is really bugging me. Everything that came with the FRPP kit was installed as well.
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The camber adjustment kit is not a Ford piece - it's usually be SPC and you would see them easily at the top of the strut tower - gold coloured ... like these ones

[tetra]

I just went for another ride.. and noticed something. If I stop, backup EXTREMELY slowly, as I turn my wheel it creaks. Faster I turn the wheel the faster and more frequent the squeaks. I can't isolate a side, it almost sounds like both.. Possibly a power steering issue or something? What's weird is the sound happens sometimes when driving straight as well.

But I REALLY hear it when I turn the wheel without moving much.

[tetra]

I'm bringing her in to a dealer Saturday. Really hope they don't give me a hard time. Anybody ever go to Donsway Ford? I've had bad experiences with the one at Yonge-Steeles and Eastcourt, so going to try Donsway.

[NikiterZTS]

Could be endlinks brAh

[tetra]

Yeah, so many possibilities man, that's what I hate about suspension.. Hopefully I'll find out Saturday. Maybe something just needs some greasing.

[NikiterZTS]

tetra,Apr 8 2010, 08:34 AM Wrote:Yeah, so many possibilities man, that's what I hate about suspension.. Hopefully I'll find out Saturday. Maybe something just needs some greasing.
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It just sounds of what I had on my Subi with Perrin front endlinks. They were ball joined endlinks (not bushings) so winter's salt fawked them up. The sound was comming from the drivers side but the actual bad endlink was on the passenger side. Weird.
But I ordered some Group A endlinks (to match my rear ones anyway) and it was just 30 mins to swap.


When my focus endlink went on me after trying for 10 mins to take it off i said Screw it and went to my mechanics. He had to use a torch. :blink:

[Lowe9]

If the creaking/groaning is constant when turning the wheel, I'm going to say front sway bar endlinks. I had the same thing happen to mine over the winter. Handling was still fine, but turning the steering wheel made the front suspenion sound like an old steel door in need of some lube.

I also had to take mine to the dealer to get the endlinks done.

[GFXjamie]

weird because i have driven my 07 for 3 winters now and i havent had an endlink issue :S

tomorrow night come to my shop, or saturday afternoon, we will check it all out. screw dealer, they will give you hassle if its suspension related. PM me again and ill send over adress if you still wanna come down. will only take a few minutes to figure it out.

let me know dude. could be strut bearing gone bad, or spring not sitting in perch 100% proper. theres a couple options that way.

[tetra]

Cool dude, I replied to your PM. If it's a strut bearing, how would you know though? We'd have to take some s*** apart for that right?

[GFXjamie]

we would likely be able to tell from movement. We could also check and see if top nut is 100% tight, i know i had a similar problem once where that was the culprit with clunks n such.

we will get er figured out n big deal guy.

[OAC_Sparky]

Strut bearing. Should have put new ones in when you put the springs in if you didn't. Taking it to the dealer won't help you. It's one part that won't be covered after modding your suspension.

[tetra]

lol what do you mean I should of put new ones in.. my car is a 2009 man..
I have a feeling it's something else. But I guess we'll find out tomorrow. I checked the strut towers and everything was tight, all the bolts and all. There's zero movement there so I don't think it's that.

[OAC_Sparky]

tetra,Apr 8 2010, 05:38 PM Wrote:lol what do you mean I should of put new ones in.. my car is a 2009 man..[right][snapback]304815[/snapback][/right]

You put new lowering springs in right? At how many clicks?

[tetra]

Yes, I put an entire kit.. shocks, struts, springs. All Ford Racing products.
It's been about 6000 KM's I'd say they've been on.

[OAC_Sparky]

tetra,Apr 9 2010, 12:26 PM Wrote:Yes, I put an entire kit.. shocks, struts, springs. All Ford Racing products.
It's been about 6000 KM's I'd say they've been on.
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What I mean is how many clicks were on the strut bearings to begin with?

Why I'm asking is this:

Strut bearings don't rotate 360 degrees. They're installed and loaded and only wear in less than 120 degrees.

When you remove the strut assembly, if you spin the bearing when you disassemble and reassemble the strut/spring it now will load and ride the bearing in a new spot. There isn't much to a strut bearing to begin with. That's why when I do struts I always change the bearing if it has anything more than 10k on it -- they're only $10 a piece.

So to answer your question; yes, you can wear out the stutmount bearing on an '09 already. In car years that can be almost 2 years old (ie. was it an early 09 or a late 09?) -- the '11s are only 4 month away. Without knowing how many clicks are on it, it's sometimes better safer than sorry.