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Old 02-05-2010, 10:41 AM   #1
marcs_sp20
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How to stop suspension creaks

I spotted this before on Mazdas247, and seems to work, will try it this arvo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt V View Post
Alright guys, in some previous threads many people have been talking about noise issues after lowering their cars. The "washer mod" is something many members have mentioned. I'm here to show you how to do it if you're one of the lowered P5 owners who HASN'T done this. First off, go to Home Depot and buy these:



You can find them in the nuts/washer area, they run $.98 each. I bought 3 packs (each one has 2) just in case. Now, go out to the car. The front is extremely easy to do. Get a 17mm wrench (I used a 4-way with a 17mm end) and break the nut that holds the strut mount on. DON'T WORRY, THE CAR WEIGHT KEEPS THE SUSPENSION COMPRESSED. Once you loosen the nut, completely get it off and open up a package of the washers you bought at Home Depot. Grab one washer and slide it on, put the nut back on and tighten it as much as you can. It will look like this when you're done:



I have noticed a dramatic difference is noise over bumps. It no longer sounds clanky, sounds much more solid. I can't wait to do my endlinks all around and add the washers to the rear.
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Old 02-05-2010, 10:47 AM   #2
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That's stupidly simple. And for the $2.00 of washers brought, it's worth a try, even if it doesn't work.
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Old 02-05-2010, 10:55 AM   #3
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I have a bad creak in the front, so yeah worth the try!
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Old 02-05-2010, 11:03 AM   #4
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Ryan, you were at my place when we did that to my Astina about 5 years ago! I think you even drove down to Supercheap to get the washers. I've posted about this many times for getting rid of the knock found in the Tokico shocks [because their threads are too short]. It might get rid of creeks, but I don't see how?
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Old 02-05-2010, 08:23 PM   #5
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I can see it working if you hit a speedbump at speed, the strut is compressed to a point that it needs to exert pressure, with it being on the nut hitting the strut top...

All I can say is it works! For anyone wanting to try this in Brisbane, I have 8 washers left from the 10pack I bought today for the sum of $3.30
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Old 02-05-2010, 11:31 PM   #6
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Crazy $#!T! You beter keep 2 washers for the rear, niggs.
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Old 03-05-2010, 05:41 AM   #7
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oh yeah! Make that 6 left
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Old 03-05-2010, 08:27 AM   #8
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I'll take 4 washers
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Old 03-05-2010, 09:52 AM   #9
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With only 2 washers left it looks like im going to have to get my own.

Since lowering my car I have noticed a few noises that didn't use to be there so im going to have to try this as well.
Im also going to put my car on a hoist and have a close inspection of all rubber mounts etc.
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Old 03-05-2010, 06:22 PM   #10
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I gave the car a good workout in the North Lakes shopping centre this morning with great results: NO MORE SQEAKS!!
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Old 03-05-2010, 06:45 PM   #11
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wow. nice work!
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Old 03-05-2010, 09:19 PM   #12
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AWESOME find mark thats just pure problem solving right there
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Old 27-05-2010, 09:16 PM   #13
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wicked...

i had eibatch pro springs. the washer trick was recommended for rear struts back then (and i did it). i never considered it for the front.

i got front creaks ~2 years after spring installed, the sounds appeared coming from the endlink. i put new oem ones in and they instantly gone. another year and half i got the sound back again, i'm 1 click away from ordering a pair of MOOG K80258 from the states - i tried the washer on the front struts last weekend, the creaking sound was STILL there during test drive right afterwards, but it was GONE the second day...

4 days now not a single creaking sound over speed bumps. wicked. and thanks.
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Old 28-05-2010, 07:07 AM   #14
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im a bit suspect about this
but will i work for BG's?
mine creak a little
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Old 28-05-2010, 07:47 AM   #15
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seriously, it costs $3 for washers, worth a try IMO...
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Old 29-05-2010, 07:15 AM   #16
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will have a look this weekend if the weather holds out
should have some lying around the garage somewhere
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Old 14-12-2012, 11:35 AM   #17
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Searching through history cos I'm bored as s*** at work and I must say I am keen as beans to give this a shot!!
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Old 14-12-2012, 11:57 AM   #18
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yer this works a treat was a good find by marc.

sam needs to do this to his car, as i forgot to do it when i put the shock in "looks over shoulder" who said that.. it wasnt me...
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Old 14-12-2012, 01:32 PM   #19
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Keen to give this a shot! Seems relatively simple and straight forward, all for ~$3!

Also do the sway bar endlinks cause a creak in the suspension? Mine are creaking quite bad and I was just wondering if the endlinks had anything to do with it.
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Old 14-12-2012, 02:46 PM   #20
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Nah, endlinks are totally different, I dare say theyll need replacing
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