Hey all

My GP (2000, gt, 62K) has been making a creaking sound from the right front for about 2 or 3 weeks now.

It happens when slowing down, when the car almost stops. And when coming off a stop/hitting the gas at a low speed. It sounds like its coming from the right front, i had the wheel off and I cant see anything out of wack.
Its not a metallic noise, or a scrapping, its like a dull popping/creaking noise. The car still drives pretty straight and I don't see anything wrong. So, I'm out of ideas. Strut maybe?

Also, aside, recently when ive been putting the heat on, after it heats up I get a light to moderate rotten egg smell, and once had a burning smell. Think its the heater core?

So much to do and so little money. Thanks, hope to hear from ya

Chris

I put a post on here recently about the same issue regarding the noise. My '00 GT started making this sound after replacing my struts with KYB's & Gen 2 lowering springs (1" drop). I'm not sure if its the struts or springs but I'm about to switch back to the OEM springs in hopes of a better ride. My ride is crazy bouncy with my current setup.

Have you changed your suspension at all thus far?

I put a post on here recently about the same issue regarding the noise. My '00 GT started making this sound after replacing my struts with KYB's & Gen 2 lowering springs (1" drop). I'm not sure if its the struts or springs but I'm about to switch back to the OEM springs in hopes of a better ride. My ride is crazy bouncy with my current setup.

Have you changed your suspension at all thus far?

nope, I haven't changed anything except for the addition of a strut brace under the hood, but ive had that for about a year now, and this was recent. On the passenger side everything is still original (don't know if that is bad or not, lol)

Did you ever get a response with what it could be?

Nah, I never recieved a response about what it could possibly be. I'm surprised you have this sound with such low mileage, I have 138k on my GT. This is strange.

I'm no expert here, but I assume you don't have any check lights or traction lights. Daughters 2001 Alero had a bad front hub, which is not that uncommon for that car, but the anti-lock brake and traction lights were on.
Did you pull the caliper to see if there is anything going on with the brake pads or rotor?

DC

The most common problem for the creaking sound under the OP's conditions is the upper strut mount and load bearing. See item circled in red in pic below.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/strut02.jpg

I have to agree with BNaylor. I first heard my creaking sound about a month after replacing my struts, mounts & springs. I went with kyb mounts. My GT had no lights showing (brakes, traction etc.) & both my front hubs were new.

Hmm, i was thinking that...

but, i don't know if this holds any validity, but i opened the hood, and basically stood on the frame and jumped up and down, and had no noise what so ever...

still think its the strut mount?

Not a valid test and doesn't put the upper strut mount and load bearing under enough stress. IMO based on your low mileage you really don't have enough mileage for other suspension, steering or drivetrain components to cause the problem but you never know. You have to start someplace so strut mounts sounds reasonable to me.