biniecki

I just got the cobalt back up and running the other day and it was in desperate need of brakes. I changed the brakes on Friday and all seemed to be good. Saturday I started noticing a grinding/squeek noise when the brakes were applied about 1/2 way and would stop when close to fully depressed. I took the brakes apart and found that the brake clips didnt seem to be sitting properly (probably due to powder coated calipers). Re-adjusted them and things seemed to be good.

I now have a creaking noise coming from the front end. It seems to only happen while turning the wheel in either direction but I notice is more when turning to the right. The sound is louder on the driver side but once in awhile it sounds like a single ting come from the other side. I pulled the car into the garage and jacked it up. With the key in the accessory position I was able to move the wheels side to side. When doing this with the car jacked up the noise was pretty much non existent. I would hear slight creaking here and there but nothing really consistent. It also seemed to happen more so on the passenger side now.

I got the wheels into a position that i could slightly hear something and pushed on it and sounded like it was coming from around the strut. Eventually I was able to determine that I could make the sound go away if I put my hand on the sway bar link connection to the strut. I also noticed the outer tie rod on the driver side would hit the link when fully turned to the right. At this point I assumed it must be the links going bad. I was still on stock links and the car has been lowered 2". I decided to replace them with a set of MOOG designed for the SS. They are beefier and about 2" shorter to compensate for the SS being lower from the factory.


New SS Moog on the left and stock on the right

I got everything put back together and while still jacked up I moved the wheels from side to side. I did not hear any creaking and I had gained the clearance needed on the driver side. I put the car back on the ground and start backing it out. Almost immediately I hear the creaking again. Whatever is causing the noise only seems to do it under load. I have also noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel around 75 mph. Anyone have any ideas?

Fidget

Are you lowered? Your axles could be binding.

biniecki

Yes, I have been lowered for quite some time now and never had any problems. The car is sitting a full Koni Yellow suspension with CA#1 springs which offer the same drop as the sportlines. I am also running 18s which are the same size as a stock ss

biniecki

Here is a video i took of the noise

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G5ALIVE

did you ever figure it out?