Creaking noise

[liulian]

I know some other people have had suspension creaking/squeaking/clicking noises. So I thought I would give an update on my own issue with it. Obviously it's not severe or anything, but I figured I would try to get it fixed under warranty since it was noticeably loud still. Who knew it would be such a complex issue!?

Initial issue: No sound at all until the weather got warmer. Once the weather hit around 80° F consistently I began hearing a squeak/creak coming from the drivers side only. I was uncertain where and bouncing the car while out of it didn't seem to replicated it well. After it didn't go away I took it in for warranty repair.

Attempts that have no fixed it: alignment (not to fix it, but I had it done nonetheless), tire pressure changes, lubricating various suspension parts (lotus suggested to dealer), swapping the rear strut hat (cup). These things did not resolve it, though I will note that it's far quieter now! So that's something.

Currently Lotus of Atlanta is going to replace the entire rear strut assembly under warranty. I will update when that happens to let you know if it resolves this particular creak/squeak/click.

Attached video is what it sounds like from the outside.
View attachment 83613

I just fixed an almost identical noise that appeared on the front driver's side after installing coilovers on my car. In my case, it was a slightly loose nut securing the bottom endlink ball joint to the sway bar (see image). If your issue happens to be the same as mine, you'll need an 18mm open ended wrench and a 5mm allen key to hold the threaded part to tighten it down.

Edit: Just noticed that this is happening on the rear for you. Most of this still stands, but it's probably harder to get a video of the rear. Try to turn your wheel full lock towards whichever side you're hearing the noise from, and prop a phone up on the floor in the wheel well to get a flash-on video of all of the suspension components while bouncing the car. This is what helped me see the nut just barely lifting away then knocking against the sway bar when I bounced the car.

Also, when I was initially trying to diagnose it with the car lifted up and the wheel off, the endlink seemed to be firmly bolted up. I wasn't able to wiggle the endlink and see the issue unless I had the car in the air and a jack to slightly lift the hub carrier assembly - would be worth trying this if you have access to two jacks or a lift.

 

[Kuhal]

I just fixed an almost identical noise that appeared on the front driver's side after installing coilovers on my car. In my case, it was a slightly loose nut securing the bottom endlink ball joint to the sway bar (see image). If your issue happens to be the same as mine, you'll need an 18mm open ended wrench and a 5mm allen key to hold the threaded part to tighten it down.

Edit: Just noticed that this is happening on the rear for you. Most of this still stands, but it's probably harder to get a video of the rear. Try to turn your wheel full lock towards whichever side you're hearing the noise from, and prop a phone up on the floor in the wheel well to get a flash-on video of all of the suspension components while bouncing the car. This is what helped me see the nut just barely lifting away then knocking against the sway bar when I bounced the car.

Also, when I was initially trying to diagnose it with the car lifted up and the wheel off, the endlink seemed to be firmly bolted up. I wasn't able to wiggle the endlink and see the issue unless I had the car in the air and a jack to slightly lift the hub carrier assembly - would be worth trying this if you have access to two jacks or a lift.

Thanks, I will try to get up under there. I have one jack only sadly (I could try putting the car on a jack stand then using the jack under the hub), but can't hurt to try it even with just one. If I can't get to it or it doesn't fix it I'll pass the info onto the dealership -- allegedly they will be replacing the entire assembly anyway.

 

[Kuhal]

The resolution to the rear drivers strut creaking was... the dealer just replacing the entire assembly. This indeed fixed it. The service center also noted that once it was off the vehicle the creaking was more easily found in it. So I can't tell you what was wrong exactly, but that was the fix.

 

[seriously]

The resolution to the rear drivers strut creaking was... the dealer just replacing the entire assembly. This indeed fixed it. The service center also noted that once it was off the vehicle the creaking was more easily found in it. So I can't tell you what was wrong exactly, but that was the fix.

What an absurd fix. Couldnt they disassemble and reassemble and lube it first? At least it got fixed.

 

[Kuhal]

What an absurd fix. Couldnt they disassemble and reassemble and lube it first? At least it got fixed.

They tried the disassembly and lubrication method and it did not correct it. This was the "final" fix and it did work. I'm just glad it was all under warranty, so I paid nothing. Props to lotus for actually upholding the warranty (as you would expect and hope of any manufacturer).