S14 strut tower area makes creaking noise?

[slidingsky]

Zenki S14 with 155k or so on the chassis.

Everytime I take off or basically make the car's back end squat there is a creaking noise like when you walk on an old wooden floor. It happens every time the suspension travels.

I noticed the noise about two weeks ago. I thought it was my stock suspension but have since replaced it with cusco coilovers. That didn't help, if anything made it worse.

So I'm wondering if this is just chassis old age or something that has worn out?

[koukimonster139]

bushings and whatnot are probably shot

[slidingsky]

Well, if that is the case then it's a good time to get a bushing kit.

[misfitsfreak81]

I have had the same thing going on with my s14 for about a year now. its more noticeable if you have coilovers for sure. im guessing its more related to age of the chasis, but bushings could be part of it as well. mine has over 200,000 miles on it. if anyone has anything more specific on what is causing the noise please let us know.


mike

[murda-c]

Do you have any urethane bushings?

[slidingsky]

I don't, it's all stock underneath except for subframe spacers? I didn't put them on there.

[EDacIouSX]

probably your strut towers flexing at the firewall.

[slidingsky]

That's exactly where the sound is coming from. I'm wondering if a strut bar would help.... I have never been a fan of em.

[EDacIouSX]

That's exactly where the sound is coming from. I'm wondering if a strut bar would help.... I have never been a fan of em.

yes stru bars will extend the life of your towers by preventing sideways flex. 3 point will prevent sideways and up and down flex. fender brace and tower plates will prevent up and down flex as well. what you hear is mostly up and down flex.


if you understand free fall diagrams this will explain what 2 point strut bars do to a cars handling

http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Strutbar_Theory/strut_bar_theory.htm

[slidingsky]

Cool info, thanks.

[ThatGuy]

Yes, add braces.

They always help. :D

[slidingsky]

Well I seriously just drive the car, I don't do any motorsports or anything like that so I just saw no real need for anything like that.

[ThatGuy]

It makes it more enjoyable no matter where you are driving.

Making a car perform better isn't just a track thing.

[sillydrift]

yeah, i had creaks and cracks on my s14, i added braces and strut bars, and replaced my sway bar bushing, the noises are still thier but not as noticable, it took most of the noise away

[devnull]

Do you hear it on only slow bumps or all bumps?

Based on what I've experienced a swaybar bushing is more likely to make that kind of noise on slow bumps.

[slidingsky]

Base S14 no rear sway bar

[misfitsfreak81]

ive got the stock rear swaybar, urethane subframe spacers, stance gr+pros and battle version rear arms. i hear the creeking and shit over all the bumps. big or small it doesnt matter.

mike

[slidingsky]

ive got the stock rear swaybar, urethane subframe spacers, stance gr+pros and battle version rear arms. i hear the creeking and shit over all the bumps. big or small it doesnt matter.

mike

I'm 80 percent sure that it is my subframe bushings. They are shot and falling apart. Those spacers put a strain on them.

[S14DB]

Yeah, my STB took care of that noise. Also made the steering feel more responsive mid turn

[g6civcx]

Why are you doing X? You're not "racing" your car or anything.

Making a car perform better isn't just a track thing.

Excellent response. Participation in sanctioned racing is not a prerequisite for better performance. Otherwise, this entire forum should not exist :D