Steering Struts

[Team996]

My steering sounds like a door hinge on an old Spanish ship...sometimes and sometimes not, but I haven't figured out the trigger. My mech told me it's my forward struts, and I would just like some Renntech consensus. The stealership gave me a price of $1,500 to replace them with rebalancing, while my local specialist quoted $850. Any thoughts?

[Team996]

I hope at least one us here knows something about struts... I'll appreciate any input! Thanks!

[Loren]

There was a problem with earlier models where the upper strut bearing would creak.

The only fix for that was to replace the upper strut bearing (which is usually not sold separately).

Try spraying a little soapy water on the upper strut mounts and see if it goes away.

[Team996]

There was a problem with earlier models where the upper strut bearing would creak.

The only fix for that was to replace the upper strut bearing (which is usually not sold separately).

Try spraying a little soapy water on the upper strut mounts and see if it goes away.

Thanks, Loren... I'm going to do a search for a diagram of the upper strut mounts so I know where to spray a little soapy water.

[mpikounis]

If you end up trying this, can you please post a photo or two (or a diagram) so I can try it on my C2 Cab which does the same horrible sound every now and then.

[h00dedclaw]

yes i appear to of developed smething like this however just makes noise when i steer you can hear it when your really slow at first i thought it was front suspension creaking but it does it on the flat when im crawling very slowly or could it be something else

Edited May 11, 2008 by h00dedclaw

[perryinva]

yes i appear to of developed smething like this however just makes noise when i steer you can hear it when your really slow at first i thought it was front suspension creaking but it does it on the flat when im crawling very slowly or could it be something else

It may be the sway bar bushings. On my car it is the the bushing under the upper strut bearing that creaks. There is nothing wrong with the actual bearing per se, but the interface of the bushng under the bearing where it meets the strut spring. If I reach with my left hand and feel where the spring meets the bushing and turn the steering wheel with my right I can feel the spring to bushing interface snag or catch and pop to make the creaking noise. I've lubed it with spray lithium grease which stopped it from doing it cold, but if you drive for 20 minutes it will start up again. May need more grease or eventaully new bushings, but I don't intend to replace them unless I can just get the upper bearing & bushing.