Diagnose this car noise

[49erinnc]

2003 Sebring LXI (4 door sedan) with only 40K and maintained very well. Horribly annoying creaking coming from rear of car. Primarily present when it's below 45F outside. It was 70 here yesterday and I never heard it. But heard it again this morning when it was colder out. Only creaks when going over a speedbump or dip in the driveway. If I'm backing out of my driveway, it creaks when the right rear goes over the driveway dip and then again when the left rear goes over. And it's not subtle. It's definitely loud, irritating and purely a "creak" noise. No squeaking, popping, knocking, rubbing, etc.

I got up under the car and sprayed every rubber bushing, multiple times, with Liquid Wrench penetrating oil but that didn't help. Also, you cannot make the car creak by manually bouncing the rear of the car up and down. The creak only happens during driving conditions. No signs of rust, corrosion, leaks or anything of that nature. I'm baffled.

 

[leftyman]

could you repeat the sound please?

 

[j00fek]

kinda hard on an internet message board

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: j00fek
kinda hard on an internet message board

Yeah, figured as much but thought I'd ask in hopes that someone had a good idea what the culprit is before I go get reamed at a mechanic.

 

[iamwiz82]

Could be the bushings somewhere.

 

[radioouman]

I'd guess either rear swaybar or stabilizer link bushings, or possibly the spring turning on the springseat on the strut. I don't know if those cars have a spring pad (goes inbetween the spring and the spring seat), but if not, it is probably just noise from there.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: radioouman
I'd guess either rear swaybar or stabilizer link bushings, or possibly the spring turning on the springseat on the strut. I don't know if those cars have a spring pad (goes inbetween the spring and the spring seat), but if not, it is probably just noise from there.

What I was going to say, when it gets cold the plastic parts get harder and in turn can make some squeaking, annoying noises.

 

[WinXP]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Could be the bushings somewhere.

I would agree, especially since you only hear it when it is cold outside. putting penetrating oil on it will make it worse. They make a luberecant for rubber bushings.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Rear suspension somewhere at a pivot/flex point. Have the whole thing lubed somewhere, shouldn't cost too much.

ZV

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: WinXP

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Could be the bushings somewhere.

I would agree, especially since you only hear it when it is cold outside. putting penetrating oil on it will make it worse. They make a luberecant for rubber bushings.

What is recommended for that, assuming it's just a rubber bushing causing the noise? Like a silicone spray? Any specific product that has a good reputation for similar applications?

I'd love to know it's just a bushing that needs a little TLC. I sprayed every one I could see but if it's true that penetrating oil will make the problem worse, then obviously, I can't rule out it being a bushing. The fact that I can bounce the car up and down with no sound leads me to believe it's not related to the springs but I could be wrong.

 

[radioouman]

Penetrating oil is absorbed by natural rubber, so be careful using that stuff. Silicon spray grease is a better choice for rubber bushings.

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Penetrating oil is absorbed by natural rubber, so be careful using that stuff. Silicon spray grease is a better choice for rubber bushings.

Yeah, after doing some research I'm not too thrilled about using it already. Hopefully just a couple applications won't create any premature deterioration of the bushings. I plan on getting some silicone spray from NAPA on the way home to see if that helps.

 

[randomint]

it's about time you find a decent mechanic who you can go to for things like this in the future ..sort of like your personal go-to guy. it's not that hard. talk to friends, relatives if they know someone like this. i have one who charges about 40% of what others charge for pretty much anything from oil change to transmission overhaul. sounds too good to be true and sometimes I wonder how he makes money like this.

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: randomint
it's about time you find a decent mechanic who you can go to for things like this in the future ..sort of like your personal go-to guy. it's not that hard. talk to friends, relatives if they know someone like this. i have one who charges about 40% of what others charge for pretty much anything from oil change to transmission overhaul. sounds too good to be true and sometimes I wonder how he makes money like this.

Had several of those back in my hometown which is one of the things I miss about small town life. Here in Charlotte, that's a little harder to come by as most of the mom & pop mechanics have been put out of business from people willing (dumb enough) to take their cars to chain shops like Midas. I found a couple places on Angie's List though. But for something like this, I just wanted to ask the ATOT crowd since it's likely nothing too severe/expensive.