Lately I have been a chirping noise coming from the front of the car when driving over bumps. I took it to a shop and they claimed it was coming from my passenger side strut (FE5 with about 60k miles on it). However this shop is notorious for replacing **** to increase sales instead of just fixing the problem. I read a couple things off google that said silicon lubricant might fix the problem, I tried it, didn't work. Anyone have any idea on a way to remedy this problem? Im also concerned that it could be another suspension component that is making the noise and I will be livid if I buy a new strut and the squeak is still there.

Any help appreciated!

 

First thing to replace is sway bar end links. I'd say over half the time people have that squeaking it's from them. Fixed my squeaking over bumps.

Here is the link on Amazon
Amazon.com: Moog K750012 Sway Bar Link Kit: Automotive

After that it could be the Control Arm Bushings.

 

Was the noise you had similar to a chirping noise? I also get a bad clunking noise when pulling into my driveway/hitting bumps so I'm sure my end links are in horrible shape anyways.

 

No chirp. Mine was a clunk/ loud squeak. Especially when cold

 

probably swaybar bushings, disconnect endlinks and drive it see if it goes away

 

Also a good place to look. But if you are going to go in and disconnect the end links, just replace them both. Its an hour job for both sides combine. Could replace the bushings as well

 

Already ordered 2 new replacement end links. Should have them installed next weekend, hopefully it solves my issue. Thanks!

 

Good luck, let us know if it doesn't. The end links are pretty easy if you have a breaker bar to get them out.

Jack up car, take off wheel. Undo both end link bolts with breaker bar. Put new one in, probably have to jack up the axle a bit to line up with new one. Grease the zerts. Reinstall wheel.

Takes 30 minutes. Don't let someone charge more than an hour.

 

I'm having a friend who is a Mercedes Mechanic install the for free fortunately. I guess I will also order bushings to install with the new end links and just get it all done at once.


Or do the moog replacement end links already come with new bushings attached? Might be a stupid question but I don't know much about suspension.

 

The bushing is a rubber piece that wraps around the sway bar. When destroyed the sway bar will make noise.

The end link connects the sway bar to the rest of the front suspension.

They are not really related. You could for sure replace both if you are doing it already. Should be easy.

 

Do you happen to know what size sway bar a 2.2 LT has? I think its 22mm but there are a few different sizes online.

 

The idea is to disconnect them so the sway bar bushings on the subframe dont move. Disconnecting them and putting new ones in right away kind of defeats the purpose.

 

Does anyone have any idea where I can find the correct size bushing? It says my stock sway bar is 19mm but I can't for the life of me find one in that size. When I put in my car info to the auto parts websites it lists 4 to 5 different sizes (20mm-25mm) but does not tell me what one will fit for me.

 

Stock FE1 bar is 18mm I believe

 

So I got the end links in the mail. I ordered them directly off the amazon link you provided. The end links I got are the exact same part number, however, look different than the ones pictured on amazon. Here is a picture of what I received. Should I return these and try to get the ones pictured on amazon or is this possibly a updated version?

 

The ones I received looked like the amazon picture.

You would have to contact Moog to see if there is a revision.

Looks like the grease zerk is preinstalled. Which would be nice

 

So no need to grease them when installing them? Just want to make sure I don't sound like a dick when I email amazon asking why they look different.

 

Is there a part number stamped on the one you got? Does it match the number in my post?

Yes you need to grease them before or after installing. Probably easier to just grease right before installing. Who knows what direction the zerk will be facing after install.

 

What exactly is the grease zerk? Ill look for a stamped part number when I get home but the part number on the box matched the part number on amazon.

 

Look at the picture. That little silver connector on each side of the bar is where you hook up a grease gun and pump grease into the ball joint.

The Moog end links have grease points. The stock ones don't

You will have to grease them every so often but that's not hard and many places will do it for you during oil change.

 

So if I don't have a grease gun do I just try to shove as much grease as possible down that tube?

 

You squeeze the grease gun until it starts coming out of the joint. Couple pumps usually.

 

There was no part number stamped. Im starting to think that it is just a new design that comes pre-greased.

 

You'll need to grease them... So, go buy yourself a grease gun and some high quality grease. Once you have the grease gun primed, give each zerk 3-4 pumps. They may or may not be pre-greased. If they are not, you'll be replacing them again soon.

 

Yeah there is no way they came pre-greased

OP, please take pictures of stock vs. these and post for us.

These updated ones could be nice because you don't have to install the zerk by hand.