I noticed a creaking sound coming from the front of my TLS on Friday. It only occurred when coming to a stop under braking, or when I first let off the brakes and the car begins to roll forward. I'm thinking, brakes.

I haven't hit anything, so I'm hoping it's nothing critical...but of course my mind is racing and thinking of all the possibilities - "maybe it's the 19s I put on there," "maybe I shouldn't have had the extra taco," "stupid cat that ran in front of my car..."

I decide to bring the car into the dealership and hope that, whatever the problem is, it would be covered under warranty. The service advisor can't figure it out from the little demonstration I give him at the dealer. He says to leave the car, and he'll get back to me.

I get a call Friday before closing, and the SA tells me the car will be ready for me by noon on Saturday. Ok, sure. Stop by Saturday morning, and the car is all set to go. SA hands me the documentation, which is almost a page long...and there's a second page. After doing all sorts of tests (putting on the stock wheels, checking the suspension), they grease the suspension and the noise goes away. I haven't heard any creaks or groans since, but it's still a bit odd that the front dampers hadn't been greased. Shouldn't that have been done already??

It was covered under warranty, so no money out of my pocket. Just a bit of wasted time and unneeded worrying about my car. They washed it too (which is a bit irksome), so hopefully all the cat chunks were washed away.

 

I am having the same creaking noise, it's really annoying. now realizing it has to be either the damper or bushings, this makes me feel much better. this kinda shit happens, especially with NYC weather. Good luck and problem solved.

 

Creaking sound is back. Car is headed back to the dealer tomorrow. *grumble*

 

I would ask them to replace the dampers and check the torque on them. As well have them check the brake calipers and such for their tightness. though far-fetched, it could be the bushing for the front swaybar, mention that too.

 

I'm thinking swaybar bushing too

 

bushings... my 08 TL-S did it last winter a few times, with stock suspension, and even with tein..... its happened once again since it got cold out.. it has to do with low temp and higher humiditys... i guess

 

I had the same exact problem recently. Took the car (2005 tl) to dealer, they found 2 broken motor mounts. They replaced both mounts under warranty. Noise gone.

 

Wait, I have the same problem right now for the past 2 weeks from my car right now, and I thought it was the TEINS, so can someone tell me exactly where to grease. I could unload a can of silicone spray, I hate working outside in this weather, its F'n annoying.

 

I too have the same creaking sound when braking. I guess this is a common problem with TL's. If any of you guys find a solution please let us know

Thanks

 

Still making the noise. On the 3rd time I took the car in, the mech loosened up some thingamabobber (that's the technical term) related to the lower control arm. It went away for a day, but was back again less than 36 hours later.

Dropped the car off again last night for the 4th time. At least I have a loaner TL this time. The best part of getting a loaner? I had to sign a waiver saying I promise to drive the loaner as if it were my own...if they only knew...

Blackura - it could very well have to do with the low temps. It's in the high 30s to low 50s here. Probably nothing close to what you're experiencing in New Yuck.

 

only in the cold, I have the same problem and it's very annoying.....

 

Am I blowing things out of proportion? It makes the sound during the day, too.

Update - mechanic is unable to fix the issue, so a new subframe is being installed. :jawdrop:

 

that sucks, mine comes and goes, has to be the weather.....gonna look into it...

 

it is weather.... strange weather... lol... if you are all talking about what i am talking about.... basically cold, but humid air...sometimes, ill park. turn off the car, and it will creak as i get out...

in fact, next time you are certain its doing it, lightly push the car... put two fingers on the fender and give it a slight push, it'll probably creak... it happen to me like 3 - 4 times last winter... then never again... its happened once already this winter... im not worried....

its funny though, whenever a car makes a nosie that cant be explained, everybody says "its the bushings" front, rear, side... whatever.... car rides fine, so i just ignore it.. believe me, my car makes alot worse and louder noises than that

 

thanks Allon, what kind of noises does your car make??? Btw, I just picked up edfc, cant wait to install it....

 

Turns out it's a bent subframe. Replaced under warranty.

No more noises since picking up the car (I'm on hour 26 with the car now).