My Forester has developed a squeaking/creaking sound near the right rear wheel area that only makes noise when the unibody frame flexes while backing out of my sloped driveway onto the street at an angle.
This is what I have done thus far to narrow down the problem:
What I believe to be remaining:
Is there anything else I should do/try before concluding the rear subframe is the source of noise?
Thanks!
This is what I have done thus far to narrow down the problem:
1.) Removed everything out the back of the car including spare tire and seats. Not the problem.
2.) Lubricated the rear hatch hook. Not the problem.
3.) Backed out with the hatch wide open. Not the problem.
4.) Temporarily removed the rear sway-bar and tested. Not the problem.
5.) Sprayed and tested each individual suspension bushing with silicone spray. Not the problem (but recognize this approach is not fool-proof or perfect either).
2.) Lubricated the rear hatch hook. Not the problem.
3.) Backed out with the hatch wide open. Not the problem.
4.) Temporarily removed the rear sway-bar and tested. Not the problem.
5.) Sprayed and tested each individual suspension bushing with silicone spray. Not the problem (but recognize this approach is not fool-proof or perfect either).
What I believe to be remaining:
1.) Top strut mount. I’m not convinced this is the problem because it does not make any noise while going over level bumps. Only 40K miles mostly highway. Additionally, the sound does not seem to be consistently coming from the top strut-mount area, which brings me to the rear subframe…
2.) Rear subframe (cradles the rear suspension and diff). Sometimes the creaking travels from a bit right to left regardless of which way I’m backing out. Makes less noise when there’s weight in the back.
2.) Rear subframe (cradles the rear suspension and diff). Sometimes the creaking travels from a bit right to left regardless of which way I’m backing out. Makes less noise when there’s weight in the back.
Is there anything else I should do/try before concluding the rear subframe is the source of noise?
Thanks!
