Quote:
Originally Posted by cougar214
I do hear a kind of creaking when I turn the wheels left or right when I'm just starting off.I'm also assuming thats the same thing(the springs)......snip.....I noticed the spring seats on all 4 tires are only about 3 inches above the tires.Is that enough clearance?
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Plenty as the spring seat is fixed in relation to the tire. Some cars have just enough to slide your fingers between the tire and seat.
Creaking springs don't sound right although it can be hard to describe a sound.
The alignment buddies should have checked but get to a level surface, measure your ride height and post it here. IE the distance from the ground to the wheel well fender. Tire pressure must be the same. Also have a look see at the springs themselves and compare the spacing between the coils from side to side for a difference. Run your fingers slowly around and down the coils feeling to see if one has crack/broke. If so then the ride heights will be different, unless they're both broke in the same way and spot.
Sometimes the spring may break on the last half coil.
Also in the front, with the wheels straight grab each side of a spring coil near the top and try to rotate the spring. If the bearing is not seized then you should be able to rotate the upper part of the spring a bit, maybe 1/4" or so and the little bit it moves should be smooth. If it wants to move but jumps or it is gritty or stiff, it may be drying out. Another way is to watch the spring while a buddy slowing turns the steering wheel. The spring should just pivot
with the mount bearing and not jump or wind up/down the spring or turn without the bearing turning. However, with this you cannot feel for the effort required to rotate the spring/bearing, and you should be able to a bit.
As well have a look under the hood to see if the strut/nut/washer is center to the rubber mount.
cheers