[mazdalol]

The past couple of months I noticed a creaking noise while turning the wheel to the right and sometimes to the left. This noise also happens sometimes when I go over bumps but mostly when I turn the wheel at slow speeds. I do not hear this noise when I drive faster. Also, if my car is not moving and I turn the wheel to the right, I hear one click sometimes, but usually I do not hear anything at all. My friend and I checked the spring seating (I am lowered on eibach pro kit) and even changed the strut bearings and still, the sound persists; the upper strut bolt is tightened as well. I have read other post related to this problem but still, I have not found a solution.

I notice that the noise is not always there. It seems as if when I drive my car for a while, the noise dies down a
lot. That being said, it is noticeable louder when I first drive my car in the morning.

I know it is not the struts because I recently changed the struts to Koni STR T and the noise is still there. I also got an alignment done. Whats interesting is that when I put in my new struts, the noise went away for a day but then it came back the next day.

I am pretty lost right now :bash:

 

[mulletsquirrel]

Could it be the tie rod end?

 

[warlord]

I think either you need to regrease the upper strut mount, replace them or the spring isn't seated on the upper mount correctly.
The pic below shows how the spring should align with the upper mount. If it isn't like that you may get a creaking sound too.

 

[mazdalol]

Thank you!
The tie rod ends are fine. Also, I replaced the upper strut mounts as well ( along with the bushing) and the spring is seated correctly. When I had my stock struts, I regressed the upper strut mount and the noise was still there. The car is only 2 1/2 years old with 13000 miles on it if that helps at all ( 2011 mazda3 2.5).

 

[warlord]

Stock springs or aftermarket?

 

[mazdalol]

aftermarket : eibach pro kit

Had them on my stock struts for 2 years. Noise came at around 3 months ago. I then got some Koni STR T with new bearings and strut mounts. After the installation, the noise went away for a day but the next day, it came back.

 

[warlord]

Some aftermarket springs are a little to short so there isn't enough preload to keep them seated on the perches well. If you had the Prokits for two years with no problem up till now then I'm at loss. After being on this forum for four years generally all creaking noises center around the upper mounts. The only other things I can think of is that maybe the endlinks have prematurely worn out or the front swaybar mounts have loosened up or the bushings need regreasing.