Rear End Creeking

[BrooseDaMoose]

A couple of people have told me that my vehicle makes noise when driving away. I drove around with the windows down and it's definately coming from the rear end. It sounds like bushings. I sprayed some silcone spray in the toe link bushing but it didn't help. It only happens when I go over bumps. We also checked the struts and they seem to be ok. Anyone else ever had this happen? Is there a better lube I can use instead of silicone?

 

[Cdubya]

spray some silicone on your sway bar bushing. Try to move the end links and make sure there is no play. Check your spring perches and make sure the isolators are in the proper position.

 

[UNBROKEN]

What mods are done to the rear suspension?

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

What mods are done to the rear suspension?

FenFab Vertical and Toe links, FenFab Bushing Inserts, Steeda Sway Bar and Steeda Lowering Springs

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

spray some silicone on your sway bar bushing. Try to move the end links and make sure there is no play. Check your spring perches and make sure the isolators are in the proper position.

Springs are in properly (clocked) but what position should the isolators be in?

 

[UNBROKEN]

Check the springs in the LCA first for any rubbing in the pocket. You can easily look with a telescoping mirror…the smooth, shiny spots are easy to see if the spring is making contact.
If it’s a bushing gone dry on the RSB spraying stuff on it will always be a short term fix. Energy Suspension makes the best poly bushing grease available…O’Reilly can get it ordered usually same day.
Last and less common but it still pops up every once in a while is the vertical link. The conical metal insert has been known to make noise if it doesn’t mate perfectly. If that’s the issue Brett will get you replacement parts asap.
A mechanic stethoscope and someone bouncing the car can help you narrow it down to that part if that’s it.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Check the springs in the LCA first for any rubbing in the pocket. You can easily look with a telescoping mirror…the smooth, shiny spots are easy to see if the spring is making contact.
If it’s a bushing gone dry on the RSB spraying stuff on it will always be a short term fix. Energy Suspension makes the best poly bushing grease available…O’Reilly can get it ordered usually same day.
Last and less common but it still pops up every once in a while is the vertical link. The conical metal insert has been known to make noise if it doesn’t mate perfectly. If that’s the issue Brett will get you replacement parts asap.
A mechanic stethoscope and someone bouncing the car can help you narrow it down to that part if that’s it.

Thanks for the info! I just had my neighbor bounce the vehicle while I walked around to listen and it’s definitely coming from both sides. Seems to be coming from right behind the rotors but it’s hard to tell. Unfortunately my mechanic is on vacation this week but when he gets back we can check it out closer.


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[XGHOSTX]

I would say it’s the vertical links. Does it sound like this?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HC7izAvMG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I would say it’s the vertical links. Does it sound like this?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HC7izAvMG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sort of but no where near that loud and only going over bumps.


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[Planetmail]

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. 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.

 

[UNBROKEN]

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.

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. 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.

If the RSB bushings were never greased or even not greased well that’s your issue. That’s poly bushing 101….grease the hell out of them with a good silicone based grease. Energy Suspension makes the best version of that and it’s available at any O’Reilly.