Car "creaks" when going over bumps in cold weather

[boingo82]

I don't know whether to put this in suspension or maintenance, but here it is:

My car "creaks" (like leaning back in a loose wood chair, or leaning back in one of those metal ones that needs grease) whenever I go over bumps in the road. It does not seem to be related to steering but is almost certainly related to outside temperature. If the temp outside is above 60 degrees or so, it does not creak or creaks very little. The colder it gets, the noisier. The noise is almost certainly coming from the front end. My father says it may be the "sway bar". I hope someone can help me. I am too lazy to take it back to the stealership because that's 4 hrs of driving and their service dept closes at noon, so I'd have to leave at 9:00 my time and I work swing shift so it's not gonna happen.

[rockola]

I've had the same thing on my car when its below 40 or so but usually never hear it again after I get outta my driveway or after 5 minutes. I've inspected and found nothing and I dont lose sleep over it. If yours does it consistantly over your whole drive time then that may be worth a looksee but if it's brief then I would'nt sweat anyting serious.
regards
steve

[FlossinPrimera]

get used to it, it is just your strut fluid, when it is cold it cavitates through the valves in the struts.

[boingo82]

I don't feel that 60 degrees is that cold...seriously, it is very loud and creaks over every miniscule bump.

[NismoPC]

If you are always hearing it, then your struts are probably shot. Ever replce them? If not, how many miles are on the car? Generally, the Nissan/Infiniti SR20DE factory struts will last anywhere between 45K-65K with harsher driving habits. That would be my guess.

[boingo82]

Well, I just bought it a month ago and haven't replaced anything. It has 96,100 miles on it. I don't know about the prev. owners but my driving habits aren't too harsh. So maybe this is the end of the first set?

[NismoPC]

Don't know what mods your planning on doing, but if not too aggressive, then you might want to just get a set of KYB GR2's. They are better than OEM replacements and the cost is pretty decent as well for all 4.

[boingo82]

Sweet, thanks.

[jayntguru]

Check the bushings where your suspension subframe mounts to the body. Odds are the bushings are toast. I keep finding lots of P10's with this problem. As a test, spray the rearmost bushings with WD40 and it should quiet down for a while.

You cannot get the bushings seperate, and the whole factory subframe is about $325 with discount, without getting it shipped.

[boingo82]

Originally posted by jayntguru
...
You cannot get the bushings seperate, and the whole factory subframe is about $325 with discount, without getting it shipped.

That is NOT what I wanted to hear.

Thanks.

[petemc53555]

It sounds as if it could be the "third link" at the top of the front suspension (in the wheel well) there is a ~6" long suspension component w/ two bushings in it. grab and wiggle you may have found it. I replaced mine @ 135K and squeak is gone. good luck

[vikon]

Hey,
It could be the upper spring insulators...There was a TSB issued in 96 regarding the clunking noise from the front...It was due to upper spring insulator design...It applies to all vehicles built before 02/96. Does the problem get worse in wet weather?

[boingo82]

Wet weather?? What's that?? Sorry, only rain this year was .03" in April. I'm in the freaking desert. I don't know if it affects the noise at all. What other way could the cause be identified?

[vikon]

Hey,
It was just a suggestion of a possible cause...here is the TSB itself..
Regards,
Viktor

[boingo82]

Thanks for the scan. I don't think that's my problem, as humidity has been 0% for months, but it's likely to help someone else experiencing clunking.