FOLLOW UP - Chirp/squeak from rear suspension - any suggestions?

[Boston X5 4.4]

Yes, I seem to have the dreaded rear suspension chirp. When it happens it is loud and sounds like a bird is being tortured back there. I have done some searching on this and seems to be a fairly common issue.
Problem is that it seems that it could be any number of causes. So far I have seen the following suggestions...
- rear upper or lower control arm and/or ball joint (most common)
- CV joint
- coil spring base/supports
- carrier bushings
- handbrake cable

So, before I just replace the rear ball joint/control arms I was hoping that someone might be able to shed some additional light on this based on my specific symtoms:

- Seems to be coming from drivers rear side
- Periodic. It doesn't happen every day but seems to be getting more frequent.
- Rotational - what I mean is that it is not a constant chirp when it does occur but as I increase speed the frequency of the chirping increases. Made me think that maybe something was rubbing against the wheel (calipers look fine)
- Seems to be independant of braking other than gets worse when slowing down
- Worse at slower speeds
- Worse when turning but also happens to a lesser extent when going straight. I can pretty much always hear it when turning left in the parking garage.
- Doesn't seem to be any worse when going over bumps.


Thanks

[GSXRliterbikz]

My 7 has the same rear setup as an x and it was the ball joint that was making that noise. The one that presses into the hub and has an eccentric bolt throught it to set camber alignments. Never had a similar noise come from anything else.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Thanks GSX.


Some new developments...

- The 'bird chirp' squeak seems to now be in reverse only and is worse the first time I reverse the car. Does not happen (as much) later in reverse when warmed up .
- Doesn't happen in forward as it did earlier. I can force it to happen, albeit slightly, by gunning it during a very hard left turn (going around corners in empty parking garage - not advocating this though but only place that I can replicate).

If it were just the rear balljoint wouldn't the noise be apparent both forward and in reverse??

Any ideas from any of the tech gurus on here?

[GSXRliterbikz]

You getting any tire wear? Try getting under it and see if moving stuff around will duplicate the sound. Jack up the wheels and try to wiggle them to see if there is any play in the joints.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Follow-up.

Parking brake was all mashed up and sticking/grinding. Changed all out and no more chirping. Had also thrown a lot of crud into the bearings but was able to clean them up and not have to replace. Hope it helps someone else.


Thanks GSX for the (only ) input - lower ball joint was my first thought too - glad it wasn't (at least this time).

[EDG08]

I have the same thing going on. When I go in reverse and stop I get a a loud creak. How hard was it to change out the parking break wire?
Thanks for the help

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by EDG08

I have the same thing going on. When I go in reverse and stop I get a a loud creak. How hard was it to change out the parking break wire?
Thanks for the help

Was more involved than just changing out a line......needed new shoes/pads for parking brake. Also needed new rotor on problem side...all gouged up and rusted at back and added new pads while I was at it.

.....noise had deteriorated from a chirp to very loud grating metal on metal when in reverse.

Are you sure that you have same thing going on? ..have a look at my earlier post in this thread for symptoms

[GSXRliterbikz]

Glad to see you got it fixed