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Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 06:04 PM
  #1  
TakingCharge714's Avatar
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From: Santa Ana, CA
Car: 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Sports Coupe
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Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

So I got sub-frame connectors installed on my car and since then I hear a loud, metal creaking sound everytime
a person sits or gets off the car.
My question is if this is a normal thing, a case of cheap product, or something bad?
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 10:04 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

So ....... how fat is she?
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 10:19 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Lmao
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Old Jun 29, 2018 | 10:39 PM
  #4  
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Car: 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Sports Coupe
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Originally Posted by NoEmissions84TA
So ....... how fat is she?
XD
No fat chicks allowed in the car, and I myself weigh less than 150lbs.
Any slight weight causes the creak and at first I assumed it was the conversion from uni-body
that caused the new friction but if anyone knows different please let me know*
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Old Jun 30, 2018 | 01:13 AM
  #5  
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From: Ontario, California
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 383
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

How were they installed? Fully welded in? Also were they welded in with the car on a drive on rack or in a garage on jack stands?
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Old Jun 30, 2018 | 11:27 AM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

We need much more context other than "is this bad?", or "creaking."

Was the car ever in a collision? Is this in the front or back of the car? You are describing a noise occurring from ride height changes, so I'll guess the front.



IF the SFC's were installed properly, they provide rigidity to the frame structure, which forces the suspension components to do their job. So weaknesses in suspension components will now reveal themselves. Normal culprits are Sway Bar end links, improperly seated springs, bad struts, strut mounts or strut attachment points, or even cracked frame at steering box.
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Old Jun 30, 2018 | 12:17 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

If they're bolt-in, they're a joke.

Verify that the chassis is STRAIGHT (as an example, mine were installed on a race car jig), then weld them in. That largely cures the joke.
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Old Oct 2, 2018 | 09:57 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Sounds like the car was not on the chassis when they were welded in
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Old Oct 3, 2018 | 05:36 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Maybe is creaky supension now that car is stiffer, as mentioned above.
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Old Oct 3, 2018 | 05:56 PM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

The car needed to be sitting on the tires when the SFC's were installed. Was it?
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Old Oct 3, 2018 | 06:25 PM
  #11  
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Have somebody stand by the car and listen to where the noise is coming from.
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Old Oct 4, 2018 | 01:04 AM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Check to see if all of the k member bolts are tight.
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Old Oct 4, 2018 | 07:19 AM
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Doesn't matter if the car is "sitting on the suspension" when SFCs are installed.

What matters is that the car is STRAIGHT. Not in a tweeeek of ANY sort: not lifted by 4 random points, not on uneven ground, not lifted on one side while sitting on the ground on the other, not not not not not not.

STRAIGHT. With the BODY plumb, square, and level. That's all that matters. "Suspension" is TOTALLY UNRELATED to them. It doesn't even have to be present, let alone in effect.

As said, mine were done with the body - minus suspension, engine, interior, and abuncha other stuff... it was part of a larger project being done at the same time - bolted down on a race car jig. Securing the body to a frame straightening fixture and trammed straight would work well also.

Ignore the myths about "suspension loaded". That isn't true.
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Old Oct 6, 2018 | 02:29 AM
  #14  
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Whoever installed them did it incorrectly
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Old Oct 6, 2018 | 10:20 AM
  #15  
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Re: Loud creaking after installing sub-frame connectors

Was the car ever lowered?
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