Creak while braking

[Silver 99 Camaro]

For a while now, right as the car comes to stop, I get a creak coming from the driver's side front of the car. I can even go in the driveway and inch my way up every time I pinch the brakes it creaks. However, when I bounce the car while it's parked I can't seem to reproduce it to find the noise. My only theory is that it could be the sway bar u-bushings since I have never greased them. Anybody else have this problem and figure it out?

[CDNFB]

Re: Creak while braking

Yup, my 99 is creaking at the drivers side front as well.

At first I thought it was the brake caliper and it's pins, because the rotors were warped and with each pulse the warped rotor caused, I would get a corresponding creak. Sounded really crappy.

The noise went away for a while after I did the brakes, but now it's doing what you described.

It's definitely in the suspension, and I suspect the lower ball joint, cause now I'm getting a "clunk" noise at extreme steering angles. So there is some obvious wear there, and possible lack of lubrication.

I won't know for sure untill next spring when I plan on doing my major front end work (change the front shocks, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, and front hubs). I know that sounds quite a long time from now, but the steering still feels tight and the car is stable and doesn't wander at all. It should last until then.

If you find a solution before then, please let me know.

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Re: Creak while braking

I thought of that...but if the ball joint were bad, from my experience, it would creak when you turn the wheel too since the joint ran dry. During steering I get no noise, so I wondered about the sway bar bushings. If you get a clunk at extreme angles I would check those tie rods out...I already replaced both my outer tie rods...they creaked and were loose too.

[CDNFB]

Re: Creak while braking

it would creak when you turn the wheel

I agree with that. I don't think the creak noise is comming from the ball joint itself, but from the strut bearing at the top of the strut. Confused? Let me explain.

Steering puts a rotational motion into the ball joint, but braking puts a forward and aft linear force on the joint and if there is slight movement there it could cause the strut upper bearing to move (or pry) slightly and this is the component from where I believe the creak comes from. I don't think the creak is comming from the ball joint itself, but the ball joint is the root cause and the strut bearing creak is the resultant effect.

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Re: Creak while braking

I see what you're saying, the slack/play from the ball joint is making the strut mount rubber creak. That's an interesting thought...sometimes bad strut mounts/bearings creak too. I will check the front end for loose parts, ball joints and such, but if I don't find any I don't know what else it could be. The phantom creak...

[Silver 99 Camaro]

Re: Creak while braking

I checked it last night and there is no play in the ball joint, tie rods, or anything and I could not find a creak. But it still does it today when I come to a stop. Anybody have any other ideas?

[CDNFB]

Re: Creak while braking

Well, I was poking around in there last night and the balljoint loosness causing upper strut creaking theory is bust. It would be valid if the strut was attached to the hub assembly, like most Mcpherson front suspension assemblies. But our strut is attached to the lower control arm and lower ball joint loosness doesn't cause strut deflections. I pryed, tugged, yanked, shook, beat and strained on everything, both with the suspension hanging, and with the floor jack under the lower control arm (to put the suspension into weight on wheels position) and the only things I have found is very slight looseness in the lower balljoint and the outer tierod end. But no creaks or noises.

Stuff like this drives me nuts. I think I'll have to wait untill is gets worse to the point where it can be more easily detected.

Let me know what you find when (or if) you find it, and I'll do likewise.