Creaking/groaning sound from rear window area

[Daedalus]

I'm having some trouble with a creaking and groaning sound from my rear window area. It's probably been doing this for some time, but it's about the only "bad" sound left after my suspension work, so it's been pretty noticable.

Suspension work was:
- Monroe QuickStruts all around
- New swaybar endlinks all around
- Everything else stock, as far as I know

I'm thinking it's probably my rear swaybar bushings. I also wondered if worn trailing arm bushings (I think that's what they are called - the large bushings on the rods that go from under the back seats to the rear wheels) would creak.

I can get the car to creak if I lift up on the driver's rear wheel well. It's an almost constant creaking and groaning on rough roads, not so bad on smooth roads. I also seems like it may be worse when it's wet outside.

 

[johndallara]

creaking sound from rear end

I would bet on the rear strut mounts. I had a simliar noise on the 89 GL/SC, which perisisted after new swaybar + bushings & new springs/struts.

Another possibility would be the rear tension rod (connects hub to frame-what you are calling the trailing arm), but these don't tend to creak as much (but do wear out).

Best of luck,

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX

 

[CerberuS]

I would bet on the rear strut mounts. I had a simliar noise on the 89 GL/SC, which perisisted after new swaybar + bushings & new springs/struts.

Another possibility would be the rear tension rod (connects hub to frame-what you are calling the trailing arm), but these don't tend to creak as much (but do wear out).

Best of luck,

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX

times 2

 

[Daedalus]

I thought the QuickStruts came with new strut mounts? Or maybe I don't know what the stut mounts are.

 

[SlowHeavyObject]

if you got this work done at an actual monroe shop, they used your existing strut mounts unless you asked for new ones. is it sort of a squeaking sound like something rubbery is being scrunched everytime your suspension travels up/down? i would definitely think it's the mounts because that's what sound my atx makes and that's what it needs.

 

[Daedalus]

I ordered Monroe QuickStrut kits online. They are described on Monroe's website here. I did the work myself.

I assumed the metal/plastic disc on top of the strut that holds the three mounting bolts was the strut mount, as pictured here (my old rear strut assy):

If this is the strut mount, then mine are brand new. If it's something that goes above this, then I didn't replace them and I probably need new ones.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[CerberuS]

I ordered Monroe QuickStrut kits online. They are described on Monroe's website here. I did the work myself.

I assumed the metal/plastic disc on top of the strut that holds the three mounting bolts was the strut mount, as pictured here (my old rear strut assy):

If this is the strut mount, then mine are brand new. If it's something that goes above this, then I didn't replace them and I probably need new ones.

Thanks for the help so far!

Its the thick rubber where your coil is sitting on the top. under the top plate where the studs are.

 

[Daedalus]

I replaced the strut mounts at the same time I did the springs and struts. They are brand new, unless I got defective units or I broke them while installing them.

If anyone thinks it may help, I will post a sound clip of the creaking sometime tomorrow.