Front End Squeak

[Jack19]

As the weather has turned colder this fall my 2008 Solstice GXP developed a squeak that is coming from the front of the car. As the temperature continues to drop the squeak has gotten louder. I remembered reading on the forum of other cars having this problem and did a search.

Found a post from 2007 that claims the noise may be caused by the contacted surfaces of the insulator bushings squeaking against the stabilizer bar and/or clamp in cold weather. Took a copy of the posting with me to the dealer because it describes exactly what the car is doing.

I have an appointment to take the car in next week to be looked at. I have an extended warranty that I purchased from the dealer when I bought the car new.

My concern is that within the last two weeks I installed a DDM Latin Venom Front Brace. The squeak was there before I installed the brace so I know it is not causing the noise. However, will the dealer have any basis to claim that the brace is in the way or has to be removed to work on the parts causing the problem thus charging me additional money? Basically what I am wondering is should I remove the brace before taking the car in for service? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

[rob the elder]

The dealer will probably tell you that the noise is normal in any case. The bushing is doing its job, just in cold weather on some cars they complain.

I have never experienced that squeek on either or our cars, but know others that have. The easiest fix is to put some lube in there periodically. There are several threads on this over on the Sky forum too.

[TomatoSoup]

Plus it's highly unlikely that the dealer will a) notice the brace, or b) realise it's not factory installed.

Frankly if the dealer refuses to cover it, just go away and do as Rob said - squirt it with lube. Or buy new bushings and replace them your self (on the difficulty scale of 1-10, this is at most a 2). Of course, it's likely the new ones will start squeaking too!

[GS Stage 1]

Spray Teflon lube works pretty good. You can jamb the tube in between the sway bar and bushing. The Teflon seems to hold up fairly well. But if you want a longer lasting solution, you have to pull the bushing off and coat it with something pretty gooey. (no comments allowed here )

[Coupe 112]

My car gets the squeak when it gets below 25 or so - which doesn't happen very often in Austin - and I've read somewhere on this forum or another that you can get replacement bushings with a grease fitting. I hardly ever have to drive the sol in the cold so I haven't bothered to investigate further.

[GMCustomerSvc]

Originally Posted by Jack19 As the weather has turned colder this fall my 2008 Solstice GXP developed a squeak that is coming from the front of the car. As the temperature continues to drop the squeak has gotten louder. I remembered reading on the forum of other cars having this problem and did a search. Found a post from 2007 that claims the noise may be caused by the contacted surfaces of the insulator bushings squeaking against the stabilizer bar and/or clamp in cold weather. Took a copy of the posting with me to the dealer because it describes exactly what the car is doing. I have an appointment to take the car in next week to be looked at. I have an extended warranty that I purchased from the dealer when I bought the car new. My concern is that within the last two weeks I installed a DDM Latin Venom Front Brace. The squeak was there before I installed the brace so I know it is not causing the noise. However, will the dealer have any basis to claim that the brace is in the way or has to be removed to work on the parts causing the problem thus charging me additional money? Basically what I am wondering is should I remove the brace before taking the car in for service? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Sorry to hear about the concerns you're having with the noise on your Solstice. Please keep us updated on the issue and dealership outcome. Generally modifications will void the warranty if they are determined to cause any of the said conditions. I hope this is resolved quickly for you. Also, if you send a DM, please include your VIN#, name, situation, dealership, current mileage, and contact information. Thank you.

Matt,

GM Customer Assistance

[Treeman]

Agree. Every fall I apply a very light of dielectric silicone grease to the bushings when I am changing to winter tires. Quick and easy and eliminates the squeak. Doubt a dealer will do this as it is a "normal" condition.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AutoGuide App

[lil goat]

I do not believe he has an add on product, he is talking about the stock front sway bar, the rubber bushings squeak when it gets cold. You can lube them or the dealer can, or replace them with polyurethane for about $20 like I did hasn't squeaked in years. No one makes a sway bar bushing for the front of our cars with a grease fitting, they do for the back. It takes just a few minutes to lube them. It's 2 15 mm bolts to remove lube and replace, takes longer to jack the car up than it does to fix it.

[GS Stage 1]

You don't even have to jack the car up. Just turn the front wheels out away from the one you are working on. You can reach under with a ratchet and pull the cap off in about 2 minutes.

[TomatoSoup]

Originally Posted by GS Stage 1 You don't even have to jack the car up. Just turn the front wheels out away from the one you are working on. You can reach under with a ratchet and pull the cap off in about 2 minutes.

OK, now I'm confused... what cap and what do you need a ratchet for? I thought we were talking about the stock sway bar rubber bushings?

[Treeman]

Yes, the cap is the u bracket held in place by a couple of bolts.

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[Jack19]

TS I sent you a PM.

[GS Stage 1]

Originally Posted by TomatoSoup OK, now I'm confused... what cap and what do you need a ratchet for? I thought we were talking about the stock sway bar rubber bushings?

The sway bar bushing is held in place with a u-shaped cap and two bolts. The bushing itself is split on one side, so you can easily remove it, once the retainer cap has been removed.

Reach under with a ratchet, short extension and 10 mm socket (I think it's 10, can't remember for sure). Pull the cap. slip the bushing off. Clean everything up really good, including the sway bar. Coat inside of bushing with thick lube of some kind (lots of opinions on what to use-I have tried them all. For me, good old thick red grease seems to last the best). Put everything back together. This technique will usually last at least one season, I have had it go up to two seasons.

Or if you you don't want to go to that kind of effort: Just reach under with a spray can of Teflon and jamb the spray tube between the bushing and the bar. This technique will buy you a month or maybe two.

[TomatoSoup]

Ahh, now I got ya... Yeah, I thought we were only discussing your option 2. (Plus I would call the 'cap' a 'bracket' myself )

[Jack19]

Is this the cap you are talking about?