Recently the box has started making a creaking or groaning noise under the front. It's most noticable when backing out of my driveway or a parking spot. I can also recreate it by driving slowly and turning the wheel sharply back and forth, though not as loud. A few days ago I hit some debris in the road and it it hard, could the two be connected? Any suggestions on what to check first? Thanks.

 

There's a few things to check. The end links... see if those are worn out, if so replace them with the energy suspension end-link kit. Check the bushings on the sway bar (might be hard to get to, but worth checking). Check the power steering fluid to see if you are low.

 

There's a good chance its your wheel bearing that is worn. I'd check it out, or go get it checked out lol.

 

The end link bushing look like crap, but no worse than what I've seen in other pics. I have been meaning to replace them for a while now, just haven't ever got around to ordering the Energy kit. The noise seems to only come from the driver side, and it also makes it when the vehicle is jacked up/down. It also does it when I hit the brakes rolling forward or backwards. I'm disinclined to think it's a wheel bearing because it doesn't seem to fit with anything I've read about bad bearings.

I uploaded a 30 second video of what it sounds like on the jack, this is basically the same sound it makes rolling and stopping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBrf4SUbhng

 

That sounds a lot like your suspension.... Probably your shock that is done.

 

Suspension is brand new. Tanabe DF210 springs and KYB GR-2 struts installed in May.

 

Spring possibly binding? Or sitting improperly?

 

Well, I think I've found it. After further poking around it seems to be coming from the passenger's side instead... remember how I said I hit some debris? I think I found the impact zone. This is looking at the front point where the A-arm connects. I'm going to a garage later to see how much it will cost to fix.

I put it on jack stands, removed the wheel, then put the jack under the A-arm and pushed it up. The sound is most definitely coming from this location.

 

Damn.... Thats definitly your problem lol. What the hell did you hit? hahah

 

It was a big hunk o' metal. A coworker that was behind me also hit it, the first words out of his mouth when we both pulled over were "what the **** was that?". At least it missed the oil pan, which sits right in front of it

 

Yeah, you're lucky you didn't dammage anything else lol.

 

So, I was quoted $4000 to replace with new parts and $2500 to replace with used parts. That's replacing the control arm and engine pan. Tomorrow I'm going to a body shop that does frame repair to see what they say. The guy I talked to on the phone said they might be able to fix that piece.

 

dammit dude thats gnarly

 

Whoa my shizz makes the same sound, but I didn't hit anything. I don't know what it is.
It's so annoying that I might break my bank for some Progress coilovers! Good excuse I think. =]

 

Verdict from Toyota Collision: engine cradle, control arm, alignment and labor = $2000. I think it's funny that the dealership is half the price of a "reputable" local shop. I turned it in to my insurance because 2 grand is one expensive fix. On the bright side, the tech I talked to said there would be no problem at all replacing the control arm and end link bushings with the Energy ones if I brought them in with the car.

 

Get the bushings... it's a must. Wow, that's some serious bendage on that knuckle.

 

I'm using this as an excuse to try to convince myself to lay down the scratch for air. My reasoning is: "when I'm commuting, I can ride at a respectable object-missing height and lower it when I want to show off". In the back of my mind I know I'd always be aired out, though.