I installed these "P" springs myself a couple months ago and since installation the front ones have been creaking on compression. After compressing about an inch they creak down and then creak back up. Sounds mind of like a rubbery rubbing noise, like a low pitched squeak. Any ideas?

 

Have you checked if the bolt on the strut is still tight?

 

The big nut at the top attaching to the top coil perch? No I'd have to remove the struts to check that (which I plan to do this weekend). I did check the lower attachment bolts shortly after installing the springs and they were tight (at least by a finger check)

 

You can check it without removing the struts. While everything is mounted, you can use a deep socket (22mm?) to see if it is loose. If you have an impact gun, you can even tighten it.

 

You're right I forgot. I did also check them shortly after installing the springs. I'll check it again as it's been a month or two.

 

You sure it's not your front lower control arms? There's a TSB for them. See if yours have the heat shield on them, protecting from the cats. The springs may have just helped the problem along...

 

If you have to re-tighten them, put a dab of paint on the bolt and the tread. It should help, from getting lose, and you can easily tell if it does.

 

Right, if the creaking sound, is like if you're, ... ehhh... jumping on an old bed, it might be the lower control arm bushings.

 

Funny you mention that, my LCA bushings have squeaked since right after I got the car. I had ford replace them once but it came back within another 5k miles and they've squeaked ever since. Fact is, it would only squeak when I REALLY flexed the suspension out and not nearly this loud... But I didn't think about the fact that maybe the new springs changed up geometry... Hmmmm.

Could you point me to the TSB for the heat shields?

 

TSB 13-7-8