Hey all.

I have an issue I was hoping you could provide some insight into.

I recently picked up a 2007 G35 Journey and I bought it knowing it had this issue but I have now recently had some time to address it.

I have this intermittent squeak from the rear end (odds are rear passenger side) that sounds like a metallic squeak.

My friend told me while he was driving on the right of me he could hear it from the outside and it was quite noticeable.

As a troubleshooting step I opened the backseat pass through into the trunk and removed the spare tire and spare equipment. The noise is definitely coming from the back.

What I am looking for insight into is what you think it could be, possibly based on your own experience.

The previous owner put a magnaflow exhaust on it (which sounds awesome) but he doesnt remember if this sound was there before or after.

I got underneath the G and lightly coated all of the exhaust hangers (still in good condition) with some silicone spray. I also coated many of the joint connections as well.

The sound comes on suddenly and goes away just as fast. Sometimes hitting the exhaust (getting on the freeway) can exacerbate the sound, other times being on or off or revving the motor has NO affect on the noise it just stays consistent. It doesn't show up whenever I hit a bump (although sometimes it goes with the motion of the street im on) and usually last for about 30 seconds or so and then settles down.

Tonight I am going to put a GoPro in the trunk and record the sound to help isolate it but any input is appreciated.

Any thoughts on this?

_Michael

 

Have you checked your breaks? I had a rear caliper on an FX35 that was hanging intermittently. Is there anything loose in the trunk under the carpet mat? Sometimes things can get lost/forgotten after being thrown in there.

 

Hey JM.

I have looked at the brakes yes, but I have only done some quick once-overs to check everything. I pulled all of the items out of the trunk including the spare tire and the plastic housing with all the tire changing gear and it still made the same noises.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was the brakes because like I said the sound comes and goes, almost as if something shifts loose, squeaks, and then goes back into place and stops making noise.

It can be heard from the outside, so the brakes would definitely be a potential culprit.

Can you elaborate on what I should be checking to see if it may be the affected item?

Thanks for your help.

_Michael

 

Do you notice a burning smell or higher amount of heat coming off any of the rotors? If so, it may be hanging up. You could jack up the car and see how easily the wheel spins by hand or if you can recreate the sound that way...

 

I havent noticed a burning smell. I just recently had Infiniti tension my parking brake which means they had to pop the back wheels off and they made no mention of anything out of the ordinary.

I always wonder since this car has magnaflow exhaust if it could have something to do with that but I checked the hangers and it appears to be fine.

This issue is weird because it comes and goes. Sometimes it makes the noise right as I take off from the first stop sign, other times it wont make a single peep on a 40 mile trip.

It is frustrating to say the least but I think I will pop off the wheel and take another look around.

 

So I did some more testing and sat in the back seat while a friend drove.

I opened the pass through on the rear seats and the squeak is much louder with it open.

I would guess it WAS something in the trunk but I had already tried taking out the spare tire and all the gear in there but it still did it.

Any idea what could be causing this squeak below the trunk, maybe where the springs line up?

Any thoughts?

_Michael

 

might be worth checking if the previous owner put on poly swaybar bushings, and didn't lube them up properly. They make an incredibly annoying sound if they're not properly lubed.

 

Thanks for the info.

I can definitely check with him and see if this is the case.

If it turns out to be so, is this something that I can lube without taking parts off the car?

_Michael

 

aftermarket bushings are solid, as opposed to the stock ones that can slip right off, so, if you do have poly bushings, no.

the below diagram shows the (stock) bushings.

It's not hard to remove!

 

Thanks for the help.

So here is what I have noticed.

(1) This noise never happens when the car has been sitting or is cold.
(2) It only starts once I have hit higher speeds (maybe 50 or above) which is usually at least mon - fri as I cruise on the freeway but then will continue even once I come to a stop and start up again.
(3) Whenever this noise is "engaged" when I accelerate from a stop the squeaks start up and are very fast in repetition until I get to about 30mph or more and then it squeaks just not as fast.
(4) If I am coasting and off the gas the sound is still made but not as prominent as when I am on the gas.
(5) After a little bit of time goes by, its almost as if something "shifts back into place" (or maybe gets stuck again) and the sound is gone, not to be recreated until maybe it rattles loose again.

Has anyone noticed this when they put aftermarket exhaust on?

Could that rear undercarriage cover the the culprit?

Also, if I am not able to find out what this is, what is my best option? Do I just take it to a mechanic and drive him on the freeway until the noise can be recreated?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

_Michael

 

Still sounds like suspension. It just needs to get good and warmed up before it presents. The fact that it relates to being on or off throttle clearly suggests a response to weight shift. As a quick troubleshooting effort, I would crawl under there and spray some penetrating lube around every metal/rubber contact I could find, starting with sway bushing and spring seats. Just to be sure though, also hit the exhaust hangers.

 

I agree that it sounds like suspension as well. I asked the previous owner if he made any suspension modifications and he said no.

About two weeks ago I did what you suggested.

I bought some liquid wrench silicone spray and got underneath and sprayed all the exhaust hangers as well as anything that looked like it could be a connecting piece.

However, I did not spray anything about the springs, and the more I listen to this noise the more it makes me think its a spring. I see that the springs take up a large amount of room (as opposed to a small exhaust bushing) so I wonder if they could be the culprit.

Also, is there anything in the exhaust that could make this noise, but would also "shift" back into place and not make the noise?

Previous owner put on a magnaflow exhaust, but the hangers and bushings appear to be in great shape.

Thanks again.

_Michael

 

I used to laugh every time I'd hear one of those old crown vics drive by because it sounded like fat people on a box spring having sex, but now, " I gots the creaks" I think its the sway bar since I dropped it to put in a camber kit then spray it with silicone.

 

Can you be more specific at what the part is in the picture. I have the squeak and am willing to lubricate it myself (have to jack the car up and get up under it) but need to know what part to exactly lubricate.

Also what is the part that is L shaped and has two bolts

 

Yeah it ended up being my camber kit that I installed sprayed it down with silicon spray if it comes up again later I will get another kit. I thought is was my sway bar but further inspection with my mechanics stethoscope discovered it was my camber kit.