Dark Horse – Rear Suspension Creak at Low Speeds

[turbo707]

I’m getting a creaking / groaning noise from the rear suspension at low speeds, especially during slow turns, uneven pavement, or when one rear corner is loaded (driveways, parking lots).

The noise seems to come from under the car in the rear suspension/subframe. It’s load-dependent, most noticeable at low speeds, and was not present when the car was new.

I’m also noticing inconsistent rear suspension behavior during turn-in, mainly on corner entry and mid-corner. The rear sometimes feels like it doesn’t settle or plant right away, followed by a slight bumpy or up-and-down motion instead of a smooth compression

Car is 100% stock, ~2,000 miles.

Question:

Has anyone else experienced a similar low-speed rear suspension creak on an S650/Dark Horse? If so, what was the cause (sway bar bushings, spring isolators, subframe, lower control arm bushings, shocks)?

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[GooberDH]

It was my rear seats. Try folding them down and replicating the problem. Not sure how Ford managed to screw that up since it never happened with my S550 but here we are. Some grease on the latches fixed it.

 

[Doug Watson]

Had the same issue just a little lube and it should fix the issue.

 

[turbo707]

They put the noise ears on the suspension and said it is bad sway bar bushings and ordered the parts. To me it seems like it may be something else

 

[The dark 1]

I have the same noise leaving my driveway.
Will try lowering the seats.
To me it sounds like it is coming from further back than the seats
It started not long after I installed new wheels and wider tires, not sure if that was a coincidence or not.

 

[turbo707]

It was my rear seats. Try folding them down and replicating the problem. Not sure how Ford managed to screw that up since it never happened with my S550 but here we are. Some grease on the latches fixed it.

Put the seats down the creeks and squeaks went away. So you’re saying they have to put grease on the latches or inside the seats where it latches onto the bars? Is it from the chassis twisting or is it just from the bumps cause it only happens at low speed and when one side is loaded in one side isn’t

 

[GooberDH]

Put the seats down the creeks and squeaks went away. So you’re saying they have to put grease on the latches or inside the seats where it latches onto the bars? Is it from the chassis twisting or is it just from the bumps cause it only happens at low speed and when one side is loaded in one side isn’t

I just put grease everywhere those latches touch. No idea why it's a problem now when it wasn't with S550s.

 

[Gregs24]

Put the seats down the creeks and squeaks went away. So you’re saying they have to put grease on the latches or inside the seats where it latches onto the bars? Is it from the chassis twisting or is it just from the bumps cause it only happens at low speed and when one side is loaded in one side isn’t

I just greased the bars that the seats connect to and the noise went away

 

[turbo707]

I just greased the bars that the seats connect to and the noise went away

what grease is best, is there one that has no smell and is meant for latches?

 

[Gregs24]

what grease is best, is there one that has no smell and is meant for latches?

White paraffin is good - Vaseline

 

[Silverstone]

Would appreciate your followup on the suspension behavior after they replace the swaybar bushings. I have the same issue. It feels like the rear end bounces around a corner instead of settling into the turn on my 25 GT.

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