Larz

Hey guys, I've been drivin' my '93 FD for about a week now and I'm slowly starting to notice something odd about it. I've searched everywhere for an answer on this, and it would help a lot if I knew this was a normal occurrence and not out of the norm.

Every so often there's a squeaky noise, like the front suspension is groaning sort of, but my ol' man rode with me and says it's in the dash, not the suspension. However, my boy Kidd says he can hear it from outside the car, which would make it more likely the suspension than any dash part.

If any of you third-gen guys could shed some light on this, I'd be greatly appreciative. Maybe simply chock it up to an older car showing its signs of age?

Thanks in advance!

DigDug

Is it when you apply the brakes?

Larz

no. generally only bumps, either speed bumps or your general all around annoying potholes (i hate illinois roads). it actually doesn't matter depending on speed. the first time i noticed it i was doing only about five mph, but i can notice it now doing about 30 or above.

thanks for posting!

Mr. Stock

Check the heat shields first. There are several along the exhaust which rust and cause rattling or squeaky noises.

DigDug

Else it is likely just bushing/suspension noise. Hard to say - "squeak" is sorta vague...

Either way, you can definitely chalk it up to age!

nycrx7

perhaps its the hood? the 93s have an issue with the squeak...

RonKMiller

I've been chasing squeaks, rattles, chirps, groans and clunks since it was new 11 years ago.

Its kind of a game, since when I finally isolate one and silence it another one shows up. The car is winning.

Here's my scorecard so far, I'm sure others can add to it:

Front: hood, shocks, shock mounting "rubbers". loose inner fenders.

Interior: EVERYTHING

Rear: hatch, shocks, shock mounting "rubbers", suspension joints(all of 'em), jack, spoiler.

Underneath: Cat, all heat shields, stock exhaust.

Top: Sunroof if so equipped. Mine still rattles on hard bumps.

It takes quite a bit of detective work to find them and a little innovation to cure them, but worth the effort in the long run for your peace of mind.

Quite simply you need to put your "ear to the rail" and have someone hang their head outside the car while you are driving (preferably someone you don't care much about - like Mr. Stock - just kidding dood...) and try to figure out where the noise is originating.

Watch out for mailboxes.

Fd3BOOST

iTrader: (7)

The only squeek i have ever ecountered has been the rear hatch struts. They need to be oiled every 4-5 months to keep them from immatating mice.

rynberg

It's most likely the hood squeak. Lube up the latch and rubber stops. Works for me.

ZeroBanger

my alternator pulley used to squeek.

Larz

I washed the car and it stopped for a while. Could it be a bearing?

Larz

A friend of mine said the bushings. But I don't think water would affect that.

clayne

First off you need to actually look for the squeak.

Report back your findings.

Larz

I have looked, and all I can tell is the front end. It doesn't matter which side hits, either one hits a pothole and it squeeks.

clayne

Start shaking **** dude.

Press up and down on the strut towers to load and unload the suspension.

Lightly oscillate the edges of the hood. Try to duplicate the condition without driving the car.

clayne

RonK,

I've got one for you that you probably haven't seen before.

I've always had this annoying metallic rubbing noise under quick braking (i.e. fast weight transfer in a longtudinal direction). Never happened with normal braking, and very rarely with hard acceleration.

On a whim I noticed a few weeks ago that I could duplicate the sound if I pressed inwards on the license plate. But it would only happen once - which leads me to believe pressing the plate would just press the rubbing pieces together and friction would hold them still until I drove the car again.

So while inspecting the diff/ppf/rear end for any sign of problems last night I decided to check out the bumper reinforcement bar, as I had a hunch it was around there. Turns out there is around 3-4 mm of play on the passenger end of it.

Glad I found it.
Not glad the amount of work it will take to remove the rear bumper and various other crap just to get to the rear bumper bar brackets.

Larz

Turned out to be the hood. A little grease and my sanity returned. Thanks.