Front Left corner Creaking noise

[KarmannMarco]

Driving home last night I noticed a loud creaking noise coming from the front of my 97 LS . Sounds a bit like when you over tighten a bolt and it make that metal on metal creak... but much louder. Truck still drive perfect. It does not do it upon acceleration and not upon steering. Mostly only when driving over bumps and when applying the brakes. Althogh i cant pinpoint the exact location i can tell it only comes from the driver side behind the front wheel area. Also mostly when the suspension decompresses upwards. This morning I took off the front wheels. checked the brakes. they seems to be in great shape with lots of pad left. Bushings although old also seems to be in decent shape and not missing/cracked. CV boots perfect. Ball joints pretty good looking too. Took the shocks off and it'll make the sound even with them off. Sprayed every bushing with WD 40 . All this and still nothing....

You guys have any ideas? Should I replace the sway bar bushings anyways?
I'm 99% sure its not a brake issue and because the truck sits level , absorbs bumps perfect and drives great I'm pretty sure its not the torsion bar either.
Any suggestions are appreciated.


What do you guys think?

 

[off-roader]

Sway bar bushing or suspension needs a lubing (via zirk fittings) is my wag.

 

[zukrider]

sway bar bushings. the hard mount bushing at the frame, where the sway bar pivots inside the bushing is the likely culprit. drop both mounts, pull the bushings out and lube them with grease. @ Honda, im a tech, we use a grease called Shin Etsu. its the ****. but wheel bearing grease will work well to. start with this. if still there, lube all suspension joints with a zert. also check the sway bar end link, the bushings could be deteriorated enough to be "loose".

good luck.

 

[KarmannMarco]

thanks guys!

 

[94monster]

If that isn't it take a look at your t-bar bolts... mine were starting to strip and it would make a popping/creaking sound going around corners... replacement bolts are cheap.... make sure you do not position any part of your body under the bolt when working under it....

 

[shov3lbum]

My creak/groan came from my upper control arm. WD-40'd it and had to every now and then especially during the winter. Exact same symptoms as you describe. Braking, sometimes cornering, but not usually, and when the suspension flexes down over bumps etc...

On another note I just removed my sway bar because the bushings just kept getting eatin' up and costing me money. Plus my IFS flexes better in off-road terrain now.