My car tends to have a squeaking sound when going over rough roads or even just cracks in a road. Usually at lower speeds (the roads in Tampa are horrible in some places). It's coming from the front of the car, but I cannot tell if it's the dash, the struts, or maybe even the hubcaps making the noise. The best description I can come up with is that of an old bed being...."used"....it also seems worse when it's colder. Any ideas?
Check you swaybar bushings and endlinks.
<img src="http://www.webgraffiti.it/gif/smile12/smile197.gif"></img>
take the hubcaps off and check to see if the noise is gone......
mine does it too, well assuming we are hearing the same thing...
the answer I got so far is "It's a cavalier, they sound like that"
I fail to belive it though...
I own a 1998 Z24 and when the weather is warm, I have a squeaking noise from the front end when I go over bumps.
I asked the same question on the Edmunds forum and the following is the possible solution:
"Easy fix. Go to your friendly neighborhood auto parts store and buy a can of "White Lithium Grease." This is the same thing your Lube Job man will use, and all he will do is squirt the stuff (the can comes with a little tube like WD-40 uses) inside and all over all the moving parts of the suspension under your car (including the rubber ball joints, where your problem is most likely coming from). The stuff is very tacky, waterproof and harmless to rubber and metal, and very easy to use. It forms a coating on whatever it covers so the sqeaks won't return for a long, long time -- if they return at all. (I used it on, under and all over a 1994 Mazda B2300 pickup -- aka Ford Ranger-- which, I think, came with the "Old Ford Truck Squeak and Rattle Package" as a dealer-installed option.)
Just slide under your car (or put it up on ramps) and give all those joints a good spray! Why pay someone a premium to do this? You'll pay about $6 for the can of grease. Just one thing -- give the underside of the car a good washing first and let it dry before doing it. That way you'll ensure you don't trap any grit in those joints when you lube them. (And, er, the Lube Job guy won't even do that for ya!) "
I then asked "If my ball joints are causing the problem, should I not have them replaced?"
Response: "At any rate, when you slide under the car, take a look at them. If they look cracked or split, then they probably do need replacing. But I'd try this first -- it'll be a lot cheaper. Usually you can tell when ball joints are worn out because you'll get a "clunking" noise when you go over bumps, and your steering wheel will react harshly to minor bumps in the road. If you're just getting a squeak, they probably just need to be lubed."
Hope this helps out. I haven't had a chance yet to do this. Going to try it this weekend.
98 Z24
RIP Specks
I'll have to check it out, I get paid Thursday, and I'll just be finishing finals week, so I'll have plenty of time. Thanks for the advice.
I have also heard squeaking is an indicator of bad, or going bad ball joints.
I'd check those as well.. all of you lol.
Its better to be safe than sorry
I know it's JUST a Cavalier, and I'm sorry if I hurt your ego.
