I hear a creaking noise from the rear whenever I accelerate/decelerate. I don't hear it so much when I'm cruising. So I'm thinking this is probably suspension related? I don't remember it before I put on the Z suspension, but then again, I only had the car about 3 weeks before doing that. I do have a 12" sub in the trunk, but again this only happens when accelerating/decelerating, not when stopped...

I doubt the dealer will help (b/c of mods, even if it was there before) so does anyone have any suggestions? What do you think the most likely source is and is it something I can fix (tighten rear sway bar bolts or something?) Does anyone else with the Z suspension hear creaking/cracking noises?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance.

Edit - Another thing I thought of is that it may be caused by the added weight of the amps/sub...or that and a combination of the Z suspension, so if anyone has both with no problems please let me know.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Hey_Ya on 05/24/04 12:38 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

So no one else hears anything like this?

 

Sorry Hey_Ya, not many guys have the Z suspension.... I suggest you post this to the Suspension Forum (about 3 or 4 under this one)

Guys with intimate knowledge of suspensions are trolling those posts.

Cheers, Ted


'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS or Vote at Online Showoff

 

FWIW - after I swapped my non-Sport suspension for a Sport setup, I got creaking. It usually happens in the morning (or that's when I mainly notice it) when easing out of the driveway. I do not notice it while cruising. I followed the suspension replacement guides very closely and am confident nothing went wrong. Nevertheless, the creaking is there.

I'm going to be putting in a 350Z suspension early next month. I'll be looking closely during the process to see if I can determine where the creaking is coming from.

 

I also have a strange noise coming from the rear end. It started after I put in my '05 350z suspension. I wouldn't call it creaking, it almost sounds like bad bearings or something wearing in the rotating parts of the rear end. I can hear it best at 10-15 mph while coasting on a smooth surface, but it is also there while under easy throttle. Since I can hear it best on a smooth road, it doesn't seem to be coming from the suspension. It has been bugging me to the point that I am debating putting the original sport suspension back and/or taking it to the dealer. I have even thought of putting the rear up on jack stands and running the rear end up to 15 mph to see if it can be isolated from the suspension.

 

I don't have any with my G on 03' 350z suspension though

just thought i mention it

 

ok guys here is the link to the tsb thanks to PDT for
posting it.

 

An interesting thing happened the other day...

I picked up my mother and brother (who is probably over 250 pounds) at the airport. My borther was in the back passenger side seat, my mother in the front. They had quite a bit of luggage which I loaded in the trunk. Then on the way home, I picked up two 40 puund bags of chemical fertilizer and four gallons of pool chemicals and put them in the trunk (which was completely full now).

On the way home, I noticed the noise was almost completely gone. Since then, this improved condition has stayed. There is just a hint of the old noise somethimes just before coming to a stop.

So I think maybe all that weight helped settle the stiffer Z suspension which seems to have been the source of the noise in the first place.

It makes me wonder if I drove for a while with a full load of passengers and a full load in the trunk if I might completely settle in the suspension and get rid of the noise once and for all.