Squeaky Z
 

Lately I have been having a squeaky/clunky sound coming form the front passenger side suspension area. Only really notice at very low speeds or starting and stopping slowly like pulling into a parking spot. I think otherwise road noise just drowns it out.

The mechanic who inspected my car said everything was tight and looked good so basically he couldn't figure it out. The only thing he could come up with was ungreased brake shims making noise which I have since greased and it has made no difference. I've also jacked it up and taken the wheel off and sprayed the suspension components with lithium grease but that didn't help.

It only makes the noise when its hot outside and usually only after being driven for 15-20 min. When its doing it you can pull up and down on the fender and you'll hear it. Anyone have any ideas?

Well i would start with the fender. If it squeaks when you pull on it then it's probably something to do with your fender. Check for loose or missing bolts.

Maybe that was misleading. Pulling/pushing on the fender raises and lowers the car which causes the sound. But the sound is definitely not coming from the fender. It must be something suspension related that can't be easily seen. And of course once jacked up the suspension is hanging down so I can't replicate the sound. And I can't pull it up on my ramps unless I wanna rip off the lower part of the front bumper.

If you meant that you were pushing on the car up and down then it sounds like it could be a bushing.

Can it be heard just driving straight down a smooth road or is it mostly heard while turning. It sounds like a control arm bushing if it squeaks when you pull into a parking spot

Mostly while turning. You can hear it in a straight line if its a somewhat bumpy road. And also seem to hear right when the car comes to a stop or right when the car starts moving from a dead stop. Also, thanks for the help so far...

2nd, lower control arm bushing. but, the "mechanic" said that the bushings were fine... if i were you, i'd go in and just replace all the bushings with either stock or upgraded ones just because that's a good thing to do on a 15-20 year old car anyway.

i had simliar prob when i drove over small bumpb or turned was fender loose makeing the noise .

Yeah definitely not the fender in my case. Can the bushing replacement be done with basic tools? I've never really done any suspension work. Tried to do a search here but didn't get anything. And over at tt.net but it looks like their search isn't working.

Get some wood blocks to drive onto before going up the incline on your ramps. You might be able to figure out the noise from underneath once the car was on the ramps and someone else was moving the car up and down.

I have done that on my previous car, just always seemed sketchy. But it beats paying a mechanic.