S14 creaks and groans 200k+ miles

[FaLKoN240]

I know these cars aren't new by any means. I'm getting a lot of creaking and noise from my front right suspension.

For reference:

S14 200k+ and counting
Daily drive and occasional skidpad events
PBM Comp coilovers
SPL Tension Rods
17x10 -13 215/45/17 Federal Evo 595

I'm thinking I need to replace my:

Steering rack bushings and/or
Sway bar bushings

Anyone have any suggestions?

I was going to go with Energy Suspension (black) bushings

[aymaeid]

my steering rack bushings made a world of difference in the front end sqeeks. i also replaced the rack itself (mine was leaking). car felt brand new. sounded great too, no more sqeeks and whining sounds.

cars going on 250k btw

[da_crew10]

Steering rack bushings, tie rod ends , balljoints, flca bushing check all these, I doubt the sway bar bushings will do that but I guess it wouldn't hurt to check them.

Has to be something factory that has not been replaced after 200k I am certain something has to have rotted to shit!

Good luck my friend.

[Okinawandrifter87]

Little bit off topic, but since it was under creaks and groans, I was getting rattles from my S14 trunk area and I removed the wing and found out that was a big part along with the trunk latch. Just now getting a creaking noise from what appears to be right under the car sounds like trans mount, going to be checking that soon. Also I sound deadened my complete interior and makes a real noticeable difference.

Have you got underneath the car yet Scott to check the bushings wear?

[g2ic02]

My guess is tie rod end or ball joint. Does it make noise turning it side to side or just when hitting bumps? I am going to rule out strut bearing assuming the coils are in good shape. With that many miles it would be a good idea to give each wheel a good shake down(with wheel lifted check up and down, side to side movement) to check lower ball joints it must be lifted under frame not under control.arm.

[silviaks2nr]

I'd suspect the aftermarket spherical bearings in the tension rods or pillow ball mounts.

[FaLKoN240]

I haven't looked at the rack bushings. The ball joints look fine. No leaks or anything.

I forgot to mention I replaced the tie rods inner and outer with new moog pieces.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Springs binding on those coilovers? Id start by spraying all the joints with lithium grease to see if that atleast alleviate the noise. It wont be a complete fix but atleast stop it for a bit.

[antigravity]

My s14 has arthritis too..LOL!! Pretty embarassing with all the creaking exacctly from the front as well. Great thread!

[FaLKoN240]

It is definitely the swaybar bushings. There's about half an inch of gap between the bar and the bushing on the passenger side.

[MAGILLA]

I know these cars aren't new by any means. I'm getting a lot of creaking and noise from my front right suspension.

For reference:

S14 200k+ and counting
Daily drive and occasional skidpad events
PBM Comp coilovers
SPL Tension Rods
17x10 -13 215/45/17 Federal Evo 595

I'm thinking I need to replace my:

Steering rack bushings and/or
Sway bar bushings

Anyone have any suggestions?

I was going to go with Energy Suspension (black) bushings

Be careful of the energy suspension bushings on the rack. I have them and I had to shim the passenger side. I would look into the nismo bushings

[eddie89s13]

I have a s13 hatch and when I hit bumps the rear has a pretty nice squeak to it. Just under 200k.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

[WIKID S4TEEN]

LOL, wait til you get to 300K!

[FaLKoN240]

Be careful of the energy suspension bushings on the rack. I have them and I had to shim the passenger side. I would look into the nismo bushings

I replaced the rack bushings with PBM ones since I got a deal on em.

I'm still waiting to replace the sway bar bushings because my clutch went out this past weekend. :picardfp:

[racepar1]

Be a G and get the Yanack aluminum steering rack bushings like me! HAHA! As for the ES rack bushings, yeah the passenger side bushing isn't thick enough and it leaves some play. I've had to use the center of the stock rubber bushing to "shim" it tight in the past. If you decide to use the ES urethane bushings on the rest of the suspension be sure to install grease fittings on them. Urethane bushings suck when the grease dries out, but are nice when lubed well.