04 suspension creaks and groans

[timguyli]

Hi, My 04 hatchback which chevy replaced the entire suspension under warranty @ 35k is now creaking again at 61k.. are there susp bushings or do i have to replace the entire lower control arms again? every bump, and every time i get in or out the car squeaks and makes a crunching sound. Gm parts direct seems cheap.. are they the best place to go? Thanks

[consultIII]

have seen these cars squeak at the sway bar bushings, control arm bushings and upper strut mounts. disconnect both sway bar links at the strut and move the bar up an down to rule out sway bar bushings. Lube the upper mounts with penetrating fluid throught the shock towers to check the strut mounts. check the control arm bushings with a stethoscope or feel while some one jounces the car.

[rkvons]

Originally Posted by timguyli

Gm parts direct seems cheap.. are they the best place to go? Thanks

I used them twice and they seem to be the best for GM parts.

[toni1595]

I agree with you, our 2004 sedan, with around 98K on it, has developed a thumping noise every time we hit a bump. I think its in the back end somewhere. I had it up on ramps and everything seems to be tight. I'm at a loss on this one. Hopefully it will show itself sometime soon as it is very aggravating. On one of our inspections, the mechanic said something about the front strut mounts, but this is definitely in the rear.

Toni.

[shilohin]

I bought an 04 Aveo with 67,000 miles about 4 months ago. The front suspension started making creaky sounds soon after, but not popping, just noisy. I took a can of silicone spray, which is a rubber lubricant and preservative and sprayed the control arm bushings, and body mount bushings (none on the strut) and stabilizer bar bushings (if I remember correctly) and that took care of the noise. I've been driving it for months now, through rain, snow, slush, etc. and still haven't heard the creaking again. I only sprayed the bushings the one time and will not spray them again unless they start getting noisy again. Seems to have worked for me, at least for the last few months.

[toni1595]

I think mine was coming from the rear end mostly. Last year while I was trying to find the noise, I noticed that the control arms from the rear axle that connect to the front of the axle are very close to the edges of the mounting bracket. I think when we were hitting bumps, these 2 pieces were coming in contact with each other. I looked into buying the new rubber bushings and the noise seems to have gone away, at least for now. I have firm belief that this is where my noise is coming from. I have to admit, these aren't very heavily constructed, but I suppose the lightness of it contributes to the fuel economy.