Alright, I know it's been cold lately, everybody knows that.

Starting last Saturday, I noticed that when I would get out of the car, the rear suspension would creak as it rose. Well, driving home from work on a cold (~0 degree) Monday night, I turned my radio off and heard a constant "creak-creak-creak" as the car moved over every tiny bump and crack in the road.

Now, this car has just over 20,000 miles. I've had it for 9 months. At 11,000, I had to replace the oil sending unit. Now I need to worry about the suspension components!?

The car is bone stock, except for an RRM intake and strut bar and the nitrous-like power of the 3 color EvoM stickers.

Should I wait until it warms up a bit and see if it goes away? Has anyone else had this problem? I guess I need to make a service appointment.

Any ideas?

-Goon-Kun

 

Don't worry about my car does it too when it gets really cold

 

yea, a lot of cars do that when it's cold..but it tends to be older cars. but if u're THAT worried just bring it into the dealer.
-Bob

 

yeah don't really sweat it, mine does the same

 

mine does it to but it is really bad because i have lowering springs with the stock struts it sounds like the front end is going to fall off. i am geting coilovers realsoon

 

Sailorgoon, I have the same problem! I took it to the dealer to get it checked out, but the one day I decide to bring it, it wouldnt make the noise.. but as soon as I got home, it started again and I just haven't had a a chance to bring it again. The creaking noise is constant for me when I'm driving and it's very annoying.. I have to make another appointment to have it checked out.. if you do so before me, let me know the deal!

 

Have the dealer check your rear control arms.

 

I've had this constant squeek for a while now and haven't had a chance to bring it in. First, thought my intake was rubbing, but that wasn't it(my creaking noise sounds like it's more from the front driver's area). So, I was worried about the shocks/springs, but when i'm out of the car and press down above all of the tires, no creak. It's more on a forward/backward lunging movement. It even makes a little creak when the car first starts up from the vibration. I'm taking it in soon, cuz I'm stumped.

 

I dont have a squeek, but rather a vibration. It doesnt do it all the time, sounds like something is loose. I thought the spoiler might be not down tight, but it is. Dunno, but Im not going to take it to the dealer. They will probably blame my Eibach springs or new rear sway bar....

 

Tristar -

If your vibration is more noticeable at high speeds, you may want to check for your tire rubbing (especially against snow, if you are in an area with snow). Just a thought.

 

I have a creek in my rear suspension also, completely stock. My bro-in-law is a Mits mechanic and said a couple others have come in with it. It's from the cold weather but he's waiting word from Mits whether or not they'll do something about it or just say its from the cold.

 

Thanks, but not that type of vibration, sounds like something is loose and shaking around, kinda like if the spoiler was loose or the antenna was loose.

 

the sqeaking is the rear sway bar get whit lithium greas and spray rubber parts

 

Thanks Mark-

The sway bar was my first thought, followed by control arm. I'll try that. --Ken

 

I have an '02 Lancer with 14000 miles and have the same thing!

I guess it's at least a LITTLE comforting to know that almost everybody has been experiencing it.

I live near boston, and it's been sooo f'in cold. It seems to be better on "warmer" days, but then it always dips back into the single digits at night.

It's REALLY annoying, on every little bump it squeaks and when I get in and sit down it squeaks. I can push down on the rear wheel (well, on the trunk over the rear wheel anyway) and get the noise.

It seems like suspension compression or as someone else suggested possibly the stabilizer bar, but very obviously some suspension component is not happy.

Now the question is, who has brought their car in to the dealer, and was there anything to "fix"? Or will it go away when it gets warm again?