Hey SL!

So today, I noticed that I'm hearing some kind of creaking noise coming from my rear passenger side (seems like springs or shocks/struts. It only happens when I'm going over big bumps. Driving normally on roads, it's fine. So when I got home, I went outside to the car and started to push down on my car, near the rear passenger side, to try and duplicate the sound. It's there, and it sounds like a creak. So I went to the opposite of the car and try pushing down on it, and nothing. It's quiet. So for sure, I've isolated the sound to that area. Now I don't know what's up. I didn't do anything wrong or any new modifications. Only thing I can think is possibly shock/struts going out... but then again, I don't know even know how to tell if they are going out. And one other thing... It's been extremely cold lately. I don't know if that has anything to do with it though. It's been between 25-35 degrees lately. Well, any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

 

how many miles are on the car? im pretty sure that it is the cold tho. when i had my trd shocks n springs, they did that in the cold.

 

36000 miles. i'm thinking it's the cold also. but then again, why just THAT side??? hmmm... and i never had any problems with the car.

 

Problems tend to develop right after 36,000 miles.

 

yeah... isn't that the way it always work... right after the warranty expires....

 

i have the same problem, but its on the opposite side. I think its a combination between the cold weather and the car getting hit on that side 3 years ago :D

 

has it been a constant problem or does it go away when it's warmer outside?

 

Well, my suspension creaks a little when I get in and out of the car, and I'm not a fatáss. My Echo used to do the same thing. In the Echo, I was able to recreate the creaking by pushing down on the back seats, near the rear suspension. I took it to the dealership and recreated the problem for them, and they told me it was just the result of dirty suspension parts. They said dust and sand can get into the bushings and cause that noise. I live in a dusty desert area, so I guess it makes sense. I just left it like that for months and it never caused problems.

 

cool. i guess when it warms up again, i'll jack the car up and hose down the suspension. i saw someone use the tire shine foam cleanser for their springs and it really cleaned and brightened up their springs. my springs right now are filty! i saw them a few days ago as i was jacking up my car to change the oil.... in the 30 degree weather! i made it through... i guess i got so cold that i couldn't even feel if it was cold anymore.

 

you just need the shock towers adjusted. it's a simple enough DIY, but there is a certain way getting the proper bolts aligned, so you'll need to know what you are doing.