I have had this problem for awhile and I’ve never been able to figure out what the problem is. Basically when braking, more so at lower speeds, once the weight is shifted up front while braking there is a rather loud creaking noise up front. As you are slowing down, the harder I brake the louder it gets. Im thinking this could either be due to the weight being shifted even harder up front and stressing a weakened suspension part, or the brake pads are making the noise as they clamp harder?
I jacked it up today and moved the wheel side to side, and up and down and there were no noticeable clicks hopefully ruling out wheel bearings or inner tie rods. However when going from side to side (with the steering wheel unlocked), there is a lubrication type sound maybe coming from the inner tie-rod ends… but that may be normal? No clicking around turns or accelerating either.
Mods include a full-race traction bar, stoptech drilled/slotted rotors and stoptech pads. The brake parts were installed used, but I dont know if that makes a difference as I think they were bedded correctly from prior owner.
The side mounts and front mount are ok, as far as I can tell the rear mount is also fine.
Anyway to tell if a ball joint is bad with no visible signs? Would a bad ball joint show any other signs? i.e. noise while driving or other driving stress
My ball joints were fine physically (no vertical wheel play) but were very dry and needed grease.
To test this I just took some WD-40 or any lubricant and sprayed inside the ball joint boot. It quiet it down for a few mins of driving but the creaks came back. So I knew it was time to change them out.
I would suggest you spray some lubricant around and try to quiet the noise.
Since my integra was stock it was easier to diagnose. While you have more suspension mods it could be a few things.
are you using coilover sleeves?
also look inside the wheels well for any metal shavings stuck to the Wells. that might help narrow down any contact points
With the traction bar, those bushings are eliminated and a spherical bearing is mounted in its place with new radius rods. I guess I could shoot some wd40 on those and see if that does anything.
[QUOTE=da6xsi06;2295115]are you using coilover sleeves?
also look inside the wheels well for any metal shavings stuck to the Wells. that might help narrow down any contact points[/QUOTE]
I am using sleeves, but I just replaced my old H&R springs with those. This problem has been there for a year or so.
With the traction bar, those bushings are eliminated and a spherical bearing is mounted in its place with new radius rods. I guess I could shoot some wd40 on those and see if that does anything.
[QUOTE=da6xsi06;2295115]are you using coilover sleeves?
also look inside the wheels well for any metal shavings stuck to the Wells. that might help narrow down any contact points[/QUOTE]
I am using sleeves, but I just replaced my old H&R springs with those. This problem has been there for a year or so.
So after reading that, it started raining on my way home from work today and I noticed the noise was low if there at all. Im thinking the rain got into the helms joints and acted as a lube. Once they dry out I will spray some wd40 or lithium grease and see if the noise goes away again. If so, that eliminates any bearings or anything.
^I agree and disagree. There are some noise problems, but these bars are a night and day difference whether driving aggressively or not. Overall I like it. With that said I basically got it for free… so I don’t feel like I wasted my money. Haha
I have this exact same issue with stock crossmemeber. Ive come to the conclusion it has to be either my radius rod bushings or my axle(since the boot is ripped). Sound only occurs when using the brakes, but not if I stop the car with the ebrake. I also have ksport drop springs and not sleeves.
I wish there was a definitive answer in here about how those ES radius rod bushings are supposed to be installed. Everyone seems to say something different.
I have the Full Race traction bars and if you haven’t already, re tighten all the bolts on the front crossmember. I had a loud poping/creaking from the pass front when coming to a stop or at take off, after replacing literally all my front end bushings with ES bushings, new axles, and new front brakes thinking it could be that I found a post where it mentioned that it can be common for the front member to become loose.
When I got under the car all the bolts on the pass front crossmember were loose, pretty dangerous if you ask me, if the noise comes back I’ll be adding lock washers to the hardware and using some locktite to prevent them from loosing up again.