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Name this squeak!!

Old Mar 22, 2015 | 07:20 PM
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Angry Name this squeak!!

2012 GT lowered on Koni Str.t struts/shocks, Steeda Sport springs, Steeda HD mounts. Check out this video and please help me figure out what this squeak is before I tear into it!. And no, it isn't the jack making the noise, it's coming from the strut area. Obviously it stops once the wheel is off the ground and the strut is fully extended. It starts to squeak only after driving for 10 or 15 minutes (when it's warmed up). It will squeak when pressing down hard on the fender so it's on the compression and rebound stroke, but most obvious on the rebound and that's why it was easy to replicate with a jack. Bad strut?


Last edited by irl4512; Mar 22, 2015 at 07:43 PM.
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Old Mar 22, 2015 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by irl4512
2012 GT lowered on Koni Str.t struts/shocks, Steeda Sport springs, Steeda HD mounts. Check out this video and please help me figure out what this squeak is before I tear into it!. And no, it isn't the jack making the noise, it's coming from the strut area. Obviously it stops once the wheel is off the ground and the strut is fully extended. It starts to squeak only after driving for 10 or 15 minutes (when it's warmed up). It will squeak when pressing down hard on the fender so it's on the compression and rebound stroke, but most obvious on the rebound and that's why it was easy to replicate with a jack. Bad strut?
2012 Mustang - squeaky suspension - YouTube

Squeaky suspension - YouTube
I think it's a dry ball joint. You lowered the car and now the balljoint sits at a new angle and one where I don't believe it has grease under the ball socket.
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Old Mar 22, 2015 | 08:42 PM
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I'm guessing it's the strut. Especially if it's happening when warmed up.

I had the same issue when I had the Koni oranges.
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Old Mar 23, 2015 | 03:32 PM
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That squeak has that rubber on steel rubbing sound. Perhaps like the spring twisting back and forth against the rubber bushing on the top hat or a bushing on the lower control arm that is being loaded sidewise under compression for some reason.
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Old Mar 26, 2015 | 04:48 AM
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Originally Posted by ConeBoss
That squeak has that rubber on steel rubbing sound. Perhaps like the spring twisting back and forth against the rubber bushing on the top hat or a bushing on the lower control arm that is being loaded sidewise under compression for some reason.
I agree with this post
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Old Mar 28, 2015 | 01:44 PM
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Lubed the jounce bumper and put a little white lithium on the strut piston, both with no luck. Next place to look?

Last edited by irl4512; Mar 29, 2015 at 06:01 PM.
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Old Apr 3, 2015 | 01:32 PM
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Have you put the car on jack stands pulled the wheel off and done the same test as shown in the video yet?


That would be my next step as you will be able to get much closer to the sound both visually and physically.
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Old Apr 4, 2015 | 04:10 PM
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I just did the same setup only with gt500 strut mounts and I have the exact same noise....it's driving me crazy. I thought for sure it was the strut mount or the strut, but now I'm not so sure. Mine only happens when the strut is rebounding. Monday I'm gonna take it apart and try to figure it out
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Old Apr 6, 2015 | 01:57 PM
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I just sprayed the control arms with some lube and it seemed to help, but what about the position of the spring isolator?
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Old Apr 16, 2015 | 09:44 AM
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Replaced the Koni strut under warranty and the noise is gone. Sent the strut to Koni and they confirmed it was in fact a defective strut. Case closed!!
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Old Apr 27, 2015 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by irl4512
Replaced the Koni strut under warranty and the noise is gone. Sent the strut to Koni and they confirmed it was in fact a defective strut. Case closed!!
Glad to hear you got this fixed! I have the exact same issue with both of my front struts. I should have my replacements in a week.

Gives me some hope that the new struts will be the solution.
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Old May 20, 2015 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 2012White5.0
Glad to hear you got this fixed! I have the exact same issue with both of my front struts. I should have my replacements in a week.

Gives me some hope that the new struts will be the solution.
Look like I may have the same issue...thanks for posting up. How did you start the process? Just call Koni direct?
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Old May 21, 2015 | 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by kirbster
Look like I may have the same issue...thanks for posting up. How did you start the process? Just call Koni direct?
Go to the Koni USA website and look for the warranty section. They have a couple different options on how you can handle the problem. Considering that you are confident it is the strut, you should pay the deposit and have them send you a replacement. After you get it and swap it out, you send in the defective strut and they refund your money after testing it to confirm it was the strut. Good luck!
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Old May 21, 2015 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by irl4512
Go to the Koni USA website and look for the warranty section. They have a couple different options on how you can handle the problem. Considering that you are confident it is the strut, you should pay the deposit and have them send you a replacement. After you get it and swap it out, you send in the defective strut and they refund your money after testing it to confirm it was the strut. Good luck!
Thanks for the quick reply! I'm not 100% confident its the strut. But I'll be checking it out to to make sure.
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Old May 22, 2015 | 03:56 AM
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When I lowered my car and installed shocks and struts I had the same squeak but after some miles on the set up the squeaking went away.
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Old Jun 4, 2015 | 06:21 AM
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I am having the same issue. I just installed Koni Oranges, Steeda Sport springs and J&M Caster/Camber plates.

I did it myself cause the shops wanted $800-1000 for install! I took it to the Ford dealership after for an alignment which cost me $170! (I feel like I got bent over a counter on that one). And, I'm still hearing those squeaks. It's not all of the time but enough to frustrate me. I'm hoping it will settle and go away completely so I'm giving it some time before ripping it back apart and going the warranty route. I really do not feel like spending more time and money on this!

On a more positive note....it handles much better! lol

Any other tips/tricks that you guys have tried that have helped get rid of the squeak?
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Old Jun 4, 2015 | 09:34 AM
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If you don't have coil sleeves/isolators, it may be the spring squeaking against the lower strut perch. I got these before I installed my Koni STR.Ts/P-springs/GT500 mounts and I've been squeak-free.
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Old Jun 9, 2015 | 07:22 PM
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I have the sleeves as well. After paying more attention to the squeaks it seems to come more when the car is warm or maybe it's the warmer weather in general? First thing in the morning when it's a bit cooler it's either non existent or minor but if I'm driving in it for a while or it's midday and hot outside the squeaks seem to come sooner?

So annoying.
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Old Jun 9, 2015 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by momogt
When I lowered my car and installed shocks and struts I had the same squeak but after some miles on the set up the squeaking went away.
How long or how many miles was it before you noticed it went away?
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Old Jun 19, 2015 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by CSdave
I have the sleeves as well. After paying more attention to the squeaks it seems to come more when the car is warm or maybe it's the warmer weather in general? First thing in the morning when it's a bit cooler it's either non existent or minor but if I'm driving in it for a while or it's midday and hot outside the squeaks seem to come sooner?

So annoying.
I had the same issue with my Koni's, a new set was the only solution to the problem. Mine never go any better over the course of a month. Mine was also worse when it was hot out of he car as warmed up after driving.
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