Warranty covered suspension issue

[Scott]

I've had a creaky suspension sound. Most often when I turn right (sounds like it is coming from the front right passenger side). Just yesterday I went on a road trip (about 200 miles round trip) and had the noise very prominate toward the end of the trip. After the car rested a while, the sound wasn't happening. I'm going to monitor things for a while and potentially bring it in this week to my local dealer. I haven't been to them before, so I think I'll just take the car in and see what happens. opcorn:

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I have been hearing the same noise recently on my Sonic coming from the front passenger side as well. Only when they are small little bumps i would hear them. Thank goodness i read this thread, i will be visiting my dealer tomorrow. I'm also hearing like a hissing noise when i press my brakes and when the AC is on it gets louder like something is leaking when i press the brakes down gradually.

 

[cheddarlump]

Anybody get a chance to test my brakes idea? For those of you with the noise from the front over small bumps or irregular pavement, try lightly applying the brakes and see if it reduces / eliminates the sound. Does on my car. I'll have to make another service appointment and take the tech on a pre-found road to show them. Maybe they'll actually hear it when it goes away..

Also, quick poll:

Those of you with this issue, what engine / trim level do you have? Maybe it's isolated to one RPO of struts?

Mine's a 1.8 Hatch with 15" wheels, and the LT1 package.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I have been hearing the same noise recently on my Sonic coming from the front passenger side as well. Only when they are small little bumps i would hear them. Thank goodness i read this thread, i will be visiting my dealer tomorrow. I'm also hearing like a hissing noise when i press my brakes and when the AC is on it gets louder like something is leaking when i press the brakes down gradually.

Please keep me posted on what they find.

Thank you,
Vanessa,
GM Customer Service

 

[Scott]

I took a few clips with my cellphone when I noticed the issue and uploaded them to Youtube. As you can see it isn't just bumps that can cause it. In this case it was low speed manuvering, but had I gone on bumps it would have had the suspension creaking sound too.

 

[Scott]

I've had a creaky suspension sound. Most often when I turn right (sounds like it is coming from the front right passenger side). Just yesterday I went on a road trip (about 200 miles round trip) and had the noise very prominate toward the end of the trip. After the car rested a while, the sound wasn't happening. I'm going to monitor things for a while and potentially bring it in this week to my local dealer. I haven't been to them before, so I think I'll just take the car in and see what happens. opcorn:

I took a few clips with my cellphone when I noticed the issue and uploaded them to Youtube. As you can see it isn't just bumps that can cause it. In this case it was low speed manuvering, but had I gone on bumps it would have had the suspension creaking sound too.

I took the car to the dealer today and it looks like they fixed the issue.

The repair description lists "Verified concern found right sway bar link to be frozen up and left to be slightly loose. Replaced both front sway bar links."

I drove the car around 15 miles afterward and it felt really good. Hopefully that's all good to go now. This is the first Chevy I've considered and it really is a great mixture of size, features, and functionality.

Oh, and It's a good sign the service guy I worked with has a 1.4L Sonic as a daily driver.

 

[svzuki]

I am betting that GM is taking a hard look at that sway bar end link design. With the amount of issues we have had just on this forum, I am thinking they should at least order a service bulletin to inspect the end links whenever a customer brings their car in.

 

[Floppysj]

its not your sway bar link that's messed up, its not seezed,loose or tight.The dealer know its not the sway bar links. what it is the rubber sleeve in the spring that sits in ur bottom strut its not seated right, what u hear is the rubber rubbing against the metal. I change my sway bar link to a cobalt steel sway bar link and creaking still there, put back stock still there. Called friend that work at Chevy and said check the spring sleeve and he was right. No more creaking noise.

 

[Floppysj]

spring sleeve not sitting right causing creaking noise

 

[MicroEngineer]

Floopysj, can you add a little bit more info, please?

1. You replaced the spring sleeve with another identical one? Or a different part #?

2. I'm not sure how to identify it not sitting in there right, can you explain?

Thanks.

 

[Floppysj]

If u look closely at the picture u will see the spring is not fully put on the right spot or place its about an inche off. U have to compress the spring and adjust it. Pretty much u have to take the whole shock out,compress spring,
adjust it to sit right in the groove of the spring sleeve(Black rubber piece)

 

[Floppysj]

this is how it suppose to look like

 

[cheddarlump]

This totally makes sense. Metal on metal clunking without any looseness or wobble.

Also makes sense why braking reduces it, as it loads the front suspension, making spring to perch contact permanent.

Don't know if I told you this, but I love you. A little bit.

 

[Floppysj]

glad i could help, trust me i was going nuts over the creaking noise too. Lucky for me Autozone refund my money back on the cobalt sway bar links,they cost $80 for the pair.

 

[Ryanizzle]

It's a good thing i found this thread, I've been meaning to post about this.

Mine makes the clunk noise too, specifically when driving over fairly deep potholes while braking. The whole undercarriage shakes, along with the clunking noise.


I'm definitely bringing this up during my 5k service, hopefully my dealer will already be aware of this problem and won't think I'm making stuff up- but luckily for me, the 2 potholes that I use to replicate the problem are on both ends of the street my local dealer's located on lol

 

[sonic#1]

I have the same exact issue on my LTZ 1.4L Sedan.

Dealer is replacing it though.

 

[Smartdave]

I am taking mine in for end link noise Friday. I will post how I make out. I even told the dealer to check and make sure they have end links before I have my apt

 

[Smartdave]

So got a call from the dealer this am. Parts list included end links as well as new clutch pedal assembly (I have the creaky clutch pedal). Total cost? 0 dollars

 

[oldertech]

Mine pretty much creaked from day one. Unless there is a redesign, I can't see how a change of pedal is going to fix things.

 

[Smartdave]

I don't either. I will just go back every 10k for a new one