eericcc2

I have an '04 RA with 110k miles on it and im recently noticing the suspension squeaking/creaking and sometimes when I go over big bumps a loud BOOM noise. I have no experience with shocks or anything. What does this sound like is going wrong?

eericcc2

bump

otter

iTrader: (14)

If you're still on your original struts, then yeah, they're probably bad. However, there could be other things, too, like bad bushings.

eericcc2

ok i'm thinking its bad bushings because when i sit down in my car it makes the horrible squeak noise. not only when sit down in it also when i am driving and going over bunmps. Really bad creaking squeaking when i stop at a light/stop sign then accelerate again. would it make that noise if i had bad struts?

from_Si_2_Evo

i would say they are bad. how does the ride feel? does it feel like the comfortablilty is getting any worse

Xenon84

I have ~95k on mine and its doing the same thing minus the squeek at stoplights I'm def replacing mine

eericcc2

the ride does feel quite bumpy so not sure if that hints toward struts or bushings

Beardly P

iTrader: (18)

How much do new shocks cost?

mrwilsonsaid

i bought some kyb gas struts for about $100 each. if you hear a loud BOOM when you go over bumps it might be that the struts are bad. the guy i bought the car from probably was driving on bad struts for a while. I was hearing loud booms when going over bumps and when i took out the struts, the mount and the spring seats were bent out of shape.

veloracer

iTrader: (1)

Depending where the noise is coming from a TSB on a squeaking from the rear resulted in me having my lower control arms replaced.

See TSB-05-34-001

AFFECTED VEHICLES:
2002-05 Lancer (except ES models)
2004 Lancer Sportback
(U.S. vehicles: built before 4/18/05); (Canada vehicles: built before 9/2/04)

2003-05 Outlander
(U.S. vehicles: built before 4/18/05); (Canada vehicles: built before 9/2/04)

As far as the boom, I'm guessing that's from bad shocks -- autopartswarehouse.com has free shipping.

Beardly P

iTrader: (18)

I can't find it in the manual, but is it recommended to change the struts out at a certain mileage?

nekkidlad

iTrader: (4)

i dunno about mitsu specifically, but a general rule is struts and/or shocks should be checked at around 50k mi...i replaced all 4 of my struts at about 114k mi 2-3 weeks ago...along w/ front and rear strut mounts too

i had all sorts of squeaking and clunking and now they're gone...i broke both rear swaybar link removing them so i went ahead and got both front and rear new ones and all my suspension noises are gone...xept for this new noise im getting wich happens when i turn but i havent had time to get the struts off and check wats up...otter said maybe the new strut mount bearing need some lubing so ill do that eventually..

THmotorsports

iTrader: (16)

Could be bushings, although most likely your shocks. Are you getting any bump steer when hitting big bumps? For example, hit a pot hole on the drivers side, and the car pulls one direction.

turboart

if your comfort is suffering its prlly shock. also when you stop and take off (more gradually of course) your car should stay fairly stable so check for excessive nose diving and and rocking back (if you have alot of mods it gets harder to tell even though take off slow or stop gradually, depending on your mods). if its bushing all you should notice is a lil less cornering cuz you'll sway pretty hard and if its bad enough it'll pop.
if you're bushing are bad thats a cheap easy fix but you'll wanna go ahead and get all new links cuz i guarantee you break them trying to get em off. they use lock nuts to put em on and i ended having to grind mine off. you should be able to crawl under your car and look at your bushings and see how bad they are. usually you can do that with shocks too if you know what to look for. i dont know anything about the stock shocks, cuz i've had tein basics since i bought mine.
it could be both i guess but im pretty sure you would know