I guess you didn't read that link I posted from this morning. I wouldn't use vice grips. I was thinking something like a towel wrapped around the strut would help to prevent damage but after giving it more thought, and this depends on how thick the towel or material is, it might just slide around the strut and not get you anywhere.

With the right tools, the rears imo are a breeze compared to the fronts. The only challenging part is reaching into the trunk to get to those 2 14 mm nuts on each side. Check out Housecor's site. You'll need swivels and extensions. With my maxspeeds, I dont even have to compress them to get the top hat nut on. GL!

I just ordered new dust boots for all 4 corners and strut rod bushings for the rears from Nissan. They should be in Friday. Hopefully this will fix all the problems.

 

You have to hold the shaft @ the top with a small wrench, I used a 8mm on my Illuminas'. You can't torque it to spec's unless you have an 14mm crowsfoot wrench (positioned @ 90 degrees) and hold the shaft and clear all the bracketry! So this would have to be done on a work bench with your upper strut mount perfectly positioned!!! So what worked for me was holding the shaft and tightening nut till that bushing was slightly wider than the washer/ or bottomed out, while installed in the car! For those of you that like to spray petro lube! Throw them in the trash and buy new ones or visit Energy Suspension with your dimensions and search for the closest replacement or email the tech reps and they will help you!

 

Well found out what the chirping sound was on my rear end. One of the struts that I had replaced in December has already gone bad, so the car on the right end is just resting on the spring.

 

Thank You!

 

Good info guys! I've also had the same bird-like sounds for a while. I'm on s-tech's & stock shocks.

 

Also must agree, GREAT info on this cuz I've been having the same chirping,sqeaking noises from both rear sides.I'm on H-techs and stock struts.I'm also beginning to wonder if riding on the stock struts could be contributing to the problem even though I only have 47k on my 03.

 

No, that's not it because i have H-tech's with GR2's and have had this noise for a long time.

 

Only in the rear or in the front also? I'm gonna try using some lubricant on the problem area to see if it helps.

 

The front suspension doesn't have bushings and distance tube in the assembly like the rears. FWIW, Noise in the front most likely won't sound like the chirping that comes from the rears. If it does, it's not like the same parts are causing it.

 

You can redo your upper bushing without a coil spring compressor, just don't jack up your car's rearend! And leave the 2 upper strut mount bolts alone! just remember to hold the shaft from rotating with a small cresent wrench or what ever floats your boat! Also are you sure your bottom coil isolators are is good condition? and none of your coils are touch each other? Look for missing paint and wear marks between the coils! If you see wear marks and all the paint is gone, you might wanna install coil isolators in those locations as well (ES p/n 9.6112)

 

I'll try to get that p/n for you...I know it's the shock eyes family 9.8126, 9.8104, 9.8146 or 9.8144 I'll give yall the specifics...later!

 

sprayed on some lubricant in various areas around my rear suspension yesturday and so far so good....NO NOISE......I was actually very happy being able to drive home from work last night without turning up the tunes.

 

Thanks again. We appreciate it.

 

The chirping is gone. I bought new rear strut mounts which include new bushings and distance tube. My old bushings were definetely worn. They were noticeably smaller than the new ones. I wasn't able to tighten them to spec like CMax03 was talking about, but all seems well for right now.

I bought new dust boots and Illuminas too . What a difference in overall handling!

Anyway, for those with the chirping, try new bushings, it should solve your problems.

 

Before I get SUPER Flamed for dragging up a thread over 2 years old, I came across this thread concerning the rear squeaking/chirping from using the advanced search option. And so I could subscribe for a quick reference for later. Anyway, I now have the famous rear chirping noise that many others have complained about, very embarrasing. Noticed it a few days ago when I went to sit down in the car and the suspension of course compressed from my weight. I only weigh 175 lbs so something must be very worn for it to make this much noise under such a light weight.

Are the rear strut mounts accessable from the trunk after removing the carpet or from under the car? Last question for those that have replaced the bushings, are these a strealership item only or can they be bought at the local AZ/advance auto?