Squeaking suspension, possible top hat/shock mount??

[FoFoJoe]

My boxster developed a new squeak, this time from the front left shock I think? The squeak does not happen as often on cold starts, it generally takes a couple minutes of driving to start. Once the car is warmed up, the squeak is pretty annoying.

Here is a video of me driving through my street at about 20mph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlo885_1EZ0

I have the stock struts on Eibach lowering springs. When I changed the springs I also swapped the bump stops but not the top shock mount. (which I should've but hindsight is 20/20 right?) I have also recently replaced the sway bar end links and sway bar bushings. The car doesn't feel like the shock is blown, but maybe I am just used to it.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/1047/POR_1047_SUSSHK_pg2.htm

This part is the one I think needs replacing.

Also how am I supposed to link to a specific part on Pelican? The parts open up a pop up window, not a separate page..

The reason I think that is the culprit is because I can bounce in the frunk and not hear a squeak. Here is a video of that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiZJruoHzRk

Anyways, any insight on how to fix the squeak? I'm thinking of just buying 2 new shock mounts and installing them because its only $30 per side.

[FoFoJoe]

I think I answered my own question, wanted to give an update incase someone else has the same issue.

I found that the base 986 front suspension has two main components that could squeak. Both the top shock mount I posted and this

Front Shock Absorber Mount, Lower Rubber Bushing, 2 Per Car
Part #: 996-343-515-05-M100

I've ordered new shock mounts, rubber bushings, and the other various washers/nuts needed to rebuild the front shock (except for the actual shock itself).

Hopefully this solves the issue, I can't imagine anything else would cause the squeak. Will update when I am done!

Total cost was about $200 for everything for both sides. Only thing I didn't buy was the springs (already have Eibach's), the shock itself and the bump stops which I replaced when I installed the springs.

I would recommend swapping all these components if you ever have the front shocks off of the car and have over 100k on the stock suspension. It probably should be done sooner, but I am at 104k miles now and this is the first time these will be replaced as far as I know.


I used these threads/videos for reference

http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/52722-calling-all-986-geometry-experts.html
http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/71028-strut-replacement-shopping-list-am-i-missing-anything.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qJkwCKiA9M&index=11&list=PLj8xiTIFL1M2pw7lAMCYwIR9B3NBWeHEZ (this one is for a 996 but shows how the top shock mount can fail)

[FoFoJoe]

Well.. swapped the suspension parts I was talking about to no avail. Hearing the squeak after a full day of work was.. :ah:

Anyways I should've been more thorough in my testing originally. 99.99% sure its a dash squeak now.

It sounds like its at the top of the dash, either where the airbag mounts to the inner dash brace or the trim panel in front of the windshield vent, same panel the alarm light mounts on. I tried shoving some rolled up paper towels where the dash/windshield meet to put pressure on that panel, but the squeak is still there in force. I have changed my dash speakers before and removed the passenger side one to eliminate that.

You can hear the squeak in the video I posted before. It now squeaks on any road conditions/speed except for the first 3 minutes (of beautiful silence) on a cold start.

Any help is appreciated.. going crazy here

[FoFoJoe]

Final update.. it was the passenger seat.

I don't have passengers often and never put it together that the squeak went away when someone was in the car - then started minutes after they got out. Even had this exchange with a friend about it after driving home from the gym.

https://imgur.com/a/YRRRRU4

Had an installer where I work take a ride with me to hear it and of course it didn't squeak so I drove it myself around the block, heard it squeak and then he drove it around the block and heard it squeak. He pushed on the chair while driving, squeak stopped.

He adjusted the chair just a hair up and that's that...

Glad I documented my wild goose chase for future generations...

[redciv1]

well, at least you have a fresh suspension now. So did you change the ball joints/control arms?