I've been waiting to see if others have the issue with creaking noises to the rear of the vehicle when going over bumps.
BrooseDaMoose: when did the creaking 1st begin with your ST? Before suspension mods - Steeda springs, sway bar, etc? Or after? Mileage of vehicle when it began?
Here's my journey through this:
When purchased new in July of 2021, there were no creaking noises. Added a Steeda strut tower brace and rear sway bar in December of 2021, no noises.
My wife's ST has been plagued with a rear end creaking noise driving over bumps for perhaps one year now, she first told me about a noise in spring of 2024 at ~ 70 000 km mileage.
Was told the creaking may be from the oem sway bar end links by a mechanic.
Creaking seemed to worsen after Ford Recall (Recall 23S55D) - rear axle bolt recall completed in July of 2024 - with this recall Ford changed a lot more than the rear carrier bolt & bushing. I'll have to compile a list, but there were many bolts replaced.
In October of 2024, at 89 000 km we added a lot of rear end parts: Steeda Rear Sway Bar End Links, Steeda Rear Toe Links, Steeda Rear Diff/Pinion Bushing Kit, Steeda Rear Differential Brace and Fen Fab Rear Vertical Links. The creaking noise persisted as before, still there, no changes. So imo its not these parts causing the issue. It was there prior and they did not fix the creaking issue.
A lot of money spent on these parts and no change in noise. But the rear end of the vehicle feels very tight and connected, a noticeable difference compared to oem parts. Kind of like the difference felt going from the oem rear sway bar to the Steeda rear sway bar. A difference could be felt, more planted & better control. Still creaks though.
Took video in December 2024 (will try to attach one) of the vehicle going over bumps with rear hatch closed, then open - in case it was the hatch causing the noise. At that time we removed everything out of the back of the ST, including spare tire. Nothing left inside that we thought could contribute to the creaking noise.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13p3Bk6nJSQIQSh-1JCVgwhCyZGGdYM1K/view?usp=sharing
At this time, I was thinking a heat shield rubbing against the body or maybe a seizing shock. Further inspection by mechanic, insists it's the sway bar bushings. He said they appear to have not been lubed when installed and are worn out. Rear sway bar bushings were lubed/sprayed by mechanic, creaking noise died down for a couple hours before returning full on.
Having the rear sway bar bushings replaced with new ones on Tuesday this week. Stay tuned.....
Btw, the replacement bushings are from Steeda are Energy Suspension parts, specifically part number 122 5028G Energy Suspension Mustang Cobra (1994-1995) 25mm sway bar bushing. That's what comes with their Explorer ST Rear Sway Bars.
