so recently i took my car for inspection, since i have been having issues with cracking, it wasnt as major before.
i did a swap to oem suspension so dealer would look at car, tech said suspension was bad and my rear cracking was due to my end links going bad?
now i got my car back and i put my 350z suspension on, car cracks more now. tech lubed all components of my suspension/axle
the cracking happens when the body flexes i.e going to driveways while steering wheel is turned in either direction. it seems to me more like an axle problem or something down there. since my suspension doesnt make any noise at all when in normal straight drivings i.e freeway/streets.. only happens when body flexes.. anyone know what it could be?
thanks a tone to everyone.

 

Not sure, but stock endlinks are less than $20 so, if it is the problem, would be a cheap fix. Also, are you sure it is from the rear? Sounds more like the common front compression rod bushings going bad.

 

Cracks or creaks?

 

probably end links if its from the rear. If the sound is in the front its the compression rods

 

its a crack/creak when body flexes i.e going into driveways (malls ramps.. etc only when body flexes side ways nothing happens in freeway/street driving, suspension moves nice and firm no cracks when it compresses)... i was thinking the compression roads (i did mention it to the dealer). recently my compression bushings were replaced (maybe like 10k miles ago..) the actual rod was not replaced. just the bushing.
The tech told me my rear end links were no good anymore (i thought they had to snap in order for them to be bad.. never knew they went bad..)

 

Yeah, the end links def go bad. My understanding is that the mini ball joint inside of it wears out. I have the creaking too only when the body flexes. Mine sounds like it's coming from the front and I was just assuming compression rods so I was waiting to bite the bullet. But maybe I'll throw on some new end links first since they're so cheap. I know Moog makes some greaseable ones.

 

well the rears is suppose to be the endlinks, the front idk... but like others have said, maybe compression rods.. not sure if it could be the front endlinks... i remember someone mention they heard cracking, but it was because his front endlinks were loose.

eric the suspension didnt work lol, they squeaked and cracked even more with it on. funny thing, when i put back my 350z suspension, i started to hear more noise than before. tech told me he took everything out and lubed it... im thinking its a part because the noise is now worse on my 350z struts than what it was before.

 

The fact that the sound didn't go away when you put my stock height suspension on proved that the springs/shocks/struts aren't the problem, right?

The front endlinks are the same design as rear, so it could be either. Whether it is the endlinks or the compression rods, it makes some sense to me that the creaking would be louder when you put on the stock height springs/shocks/struts because it allows more suspension travel, i.e. more movement for whatever is creaking.

So what did the tech actually lube? I don't think you can lube the endlinks as the moving parts are sealed on the OEM ones I'm pretty sure.

 

it seems like he lubed some parts inbetween, the tech told me it was a slow day at the shop so he was able to dedicate extra time to the car (or what he said) when i ended up going back to 350z struts, i did notice that some parts have been lubed.. i could tell since it was obvious.
the endlinks i know for sure cant be lubed.. there is no space or place to really lube them at.

 

Since you just replaced the compression rod bushings, I would replace those rear endlinks first and if that doesn't work, replace the fronts. I think you've just inspired me to replace my endlinks, too. I'm getting tired of this creaking.

 

i have a feeling it could possible be the whole rod.. which i dont know why... and where the crackiing would be coming from.. maybe the ends? i should record and post how the cracking does sound.. very noticeable.

 

same problem here in for results..are end links covered under warranty?

 

Why don't you try disconnecting the endlinks and seeing if the problem goes away.

 

You beat me to it. I have what I suspect is the same noise as the OP (only a problem in/out of driveways). It is also worse when it is cold. Currently my sways and endlinks are removed (while waiting for new endlinks), but the sound still occurs. Upgrading to D-specs didn't change the sound either. The original compression rod bushings look good, though it is hard to visually inspect them while they are still attached.

 

could it be the sub frame bushings? I had both front compression rod and lower controle arms replaced...