I've got a really bad creaking sound coming from the left side of my car (85 z28). Its happens when I turn either left or right, and even when i hits bumps, or push down on the front of the car.

Im thinking it could be the tie-rod, but i'm not sure. The steering seems a little stiff than what it was, so maybe thats what it is.

Any clue? or similar cases?

 

I had some pretty interesting creaky sounds either when braking, or when turning left or right.

Figured "car isn't exactly new, let's start replacing stuff"

So I replaced the endlinks. They were shot allright but no difference.
Replaced the complete steering rack. Better but still some of the old sounds when braking, when steering and some new ones.

I replaced the brakes (pads, discs, calipers, bearings) and no sounds disappeared, but it added some more creaking and clacking.

Then I swapped shocks and springs.
Creaking gone, clacks when braking almost gone. The clacking sound will be the brake pads however.

So my advise, test the shocks first

 

I had to replace the control arm bushings on a different car that I own to cure a creak/squeak when the suspension compressed even a little bit. It would make noise turning or driving over uneven ground.

 

Make sure you have the wonderbar - it really helps and keep frame from cracking at the power steering unit.

Then, time for suspension overhaul - tie rod ends, ball joints, end links, center link, idler arm.

 

well, I noticed another thing today as well. When I push on the right front side of the car, the shocks are nice and bouncy. When I start pressing down on the squeaky left side, the shocks feel a stiff. Could be the struts, but would that squeak when turning left or right?

Ball joint could be a possibility, might need some grease.

The creaking sound is terribly embarrassing though, i've got to find out what it is before I spend $$$

 

It could very well be the shock, as that takes quite a lot of the vehicles inertia when turning.

If it's the front, taking out the shock isn't all that easy, but it will be worth having a look at it before spending money on something else.

Eventually you'll have to spend the money, and when replacing shocks and springs is about the best of times to check and if required replace bearings, balljoints and the like.

 

Thanks man. Your absolutely correct. Took a closer look and noticed it was the shock for sure.

I'm not sure why you think taking a front shock out is hard...?

 

It's not really a "shock"; it's a "strut".

It's not only the damping element like a shock is, but also, the steering axis. So all the hardware is bigger and stronger, and everything about it takes more manhandling in a general way.

Other than that, not too hard. Don't forget you'll need an alignment after changing it. Also, don't be surprised if you find your strut mounts, at the top of the struts, are worn out too.

 

Thanks for the tip.

The ones on the front of my car is a springless strut, not sure if they did that for 85's or all years....

 

Yup, 82-92 all these cars are the identical same design up front, just like yours.

 

Takes a bit of work--and is potentially dangerous if not done correctly.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-question.html

JamesC

 

Yeah, It is a real pain to get these shocks on. There is are two bolts on the bottom of the old shocks that are rusted and won't budge. I've soaked them with wd-40, i'll see if i can get them off tomorrow.