Shock or Spring (need help please)
 

1998 Boxster, 72K:

Really need some help identifying this issue (before I attempt a fix).

Front passenger side (right) noise that sounds like shock or spring. Started hearing fairly loud squeak noise - almost like if you pushed down on a spring bed. Louder when car is moving very slow (then heard less).

Any thoughts??

thanks, Dave

Wheel bearing?

Don't think it's wheel bearing. When the car is stopped and not running, if you push down on the front right-side, you can thern hear the creaking noise (and seems to be from the spring or shock area).

the nylon ball joint races are NOTORIOUS for this. there's a simple cure. cut a tiny hole in the ball joint boot & spray in some WD40. problem solved.

Could be one of the bushings, a shock, spring, ball joint, etc. You're going to have to go through all of the suspension components, one by one, to isolate and identify the cause of the squeak.

When I had a similar issue, I put the car on four jackstands and then took the wheel off and used a jack to lower/raise the suspension assy to try and isolate the problem to a particular component.

Maybe someone else can suggest other (better) ways to perform this kind of check.

Wd40= Solvent
 

WD40 is a solvent not a lubricant. you need to lubricate not wash it away

Class time... Everyone go to [url]www.wd40.com[url] and go to the automotive page.

WD-40 Lubricates, Cleans, Protects, Penetrates & Displaces Moisture... And does so much more!

That, and the ball joints are DRY bearings. Use the wd40.

How difficult is it to access the bearings??

Novice here - only done some minor projects.

thanks.

very easy. turn your steering wheel all the way to the side. behind the wheel, look for the part in the picture. cut a tiny slice with an exacto knife where i've highlighted in red. put the WD40 spray tube into the slice & give it a good squirt. go for a drive so the WD40 gets evenly distributed & cleans out the nylon.

Thanks much for the help.

Appreciated!

Same thing for the rears if they are noisy?

same procedure front & rear. FYI, i went through so many of these things (replacing the squeaky ones) that i finally got fed up & cut one apart. i tried everything from packing them w/ grease, adding zerk fittings, light lube, etc. Turns out the solution is MUCH simpler. WD40. during this process, do yourself a favor & check for play in the ball joints (i.e. grab the wheel & try to move it in & out or side to side). if there's play, replace the control arm. if there is none, spray away....

The suggested fix worked perfectly.

Thanks again!

glad it worked out. take care.

What to do with the hole after you spray WD40? should it be closed somehow?

I did not close the hole.

Good question though. But seems to be fine.

no real need to close up the hole. it's tiny. since this is a dust boot & not a grease boot, leaving it alone is fine.

I am going to try this tonight. Thanks for the help/advice.

I will also try this fix.
Thanks