kp4lyfx

So just about a week ago, my 03 tl-s started to make squeaky noises when i turn my steering wheel or when my car goes over any kind of bump (big or really small). I'm thinking it might be something with the suspension? But not sure so just wanted to know if anybody knew what was wrong. It sounds kind of like a rocking chair's squeak or like a wooden bench squeak (really weird examples yes, but couldn't think of anything closer to the sound). Also, I don't know if this has anything to do it with, but it's really cold here in Chicago (15-30 degrees-ish). Also it snowed, but I didn't think it mattered because I actually drove the car in deeper snow before, and there were never any problems. I was just thinking if I could just simply spray some WD-40 somewhere haha, but on the other hand, I'm a noob with the tl's so...PLEASE HELP! :/

totaledTL

Ball joints.

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

Could also be tie rod end or sway bar bushing or links. But likely ball joints.

nhn23

iTrader: (4)

wow, i have the same problem too.. but it only occurs in the cold weather. so is it the upper or lower ball joint?

jdjohn84

Could also be a strut mount. If the rubber cushion comes loose (maybe shrink due to the cold), it will squeak as it rubs against the metal cap on the strut tower. Sometimes you can tell that it's loose by looking through the top of the mount in the engine bay while pushing down on the fender to compress the strut.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

My car made a squeaking noise the other day for the first time. It was when I went over the gutter bump at the end of my driveway...It did it twice in one day and then never again, its been almost 2 weeks.
If it helps, it came from the right front wheel well.

kp4lyfx

thanks for your help guys. now, do you know how i can fix the problem, if it's ball joints, or strut bar, or sway bar? thanks again.

jdjohn84

In all cases, you're looking to replace those parts. Here's a link to the DIY page. https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/ Read the Upper Control Arm, Lowering Spring, and Camber Kit articles. They make references to, and have pictures of, ball joints, struts, sway bar end links, etc. The Lower Spring article also has some diagrams of the suspension systems for reference. You might do some other Google searches for sway bar bushing replacement, and sway bar end link replacement. All modern suspension systems work the same, and even seeing another make of car being done, it will give you a good reference.

Before just throwing parts at it, though, try to distinguish the sound. If it sounds like rubber squeaking, it's probably sway bar bushings or strut tower mounts since those are made of rubber. Clunks would be more likely to be sway bar end links or ball joints, since the only rubber in those are basically boots to hold in the grease (i.e., the rubber doesn't rub against anything).

Special tools like ball joint separators and spring compressors can be loaned from a parts store. But you will also need a ratchet set, box-end wrench set, a floor jack, and a pair of jack stands. You should invest in all those anyway.