Shock or Spring (need help please)

[newjerseydave]

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

[Paul]

Wheel bearing?

[newjerseydave]

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).

[insite]

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.

[thstone]

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.

[WRGREENER]

Originally Posted by insite

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.

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

[Jager]

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!

[insite]

Originally Posted by Jager

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.

[newjerseydave]

How difficult is it to access the bearings??

Novice here - only done some minor projects.

thanks.

[insite]

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.

[newjerseydave]

Thanks much for the help.

Appreciated!

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by insite

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.

Same thing for the rears if they are noisy?

[insite]

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....

[newjerseydave]

The suggested fix worked perfectly.

Thanks again!

[insite]

glad it worked out. take care.

[sasha055]

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

[newjerseydave]

I did not close the hole.

Good question though. But seems to be fine.

[insite]

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.

[97 Boxster]

Originally Posted by insite

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.

[SF-Rockster]

I will also try this fix.
Thanks