Noise when turning wheels while stationary?

[W Cole]

When I turn the wheels side-to-side while stationary there is a creaking noise from the front of the car which sounds like it is coming from the springs. The noise became really noticeable when I installed my ohlins coilovers (still using OEM top hats) but was present when running the OEM setup as well.

Any idea what is causing this?

Thanks.

[warp10]

Take a video of the noise. I thought my noise was coming from the suspension and it was just an interior noise.

[chris3g]

does it happen constantly while you are turning the wheels or only when you hit a certain point? i have something that may be similar, post a recording of the noise if you can.

[larryn]

My tires squeak on my concrete garage floor when turning the wheel.. predictably. I would guess that you are hearing tire noise.

[M3SQRD]

Did you install adjustable-length F sway bar end links? The stock M3 sway bar bushings are really tight and if the geometry of the sway bar isn't adjusted after the car has been lowered then the bar can "bind" which creates "clunking" and "squeaking" noises.

Another option is to replace the stock sway bar mount bushings with aftermarket bushings (I'm using PF bushings). Also, adding thrust washers/Torrington bearing at the bottom of the F springs will help to eliminate other noises as well as improve the linearity of the F spring rate (spring wants to twist as it is compressed).

[Malek@MRF]

Sounds like something is not installed correctly with the suspension.

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Sounds like something is not installed correctly with the suspension.

+1 I have the same suspension but with Vorshlag plates. Something out of place is causing the noise you're experiencing. Can you post pics?

[Richard@M-World]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Did you install adjustable-length F sway bar end links?

+1

[W Cole]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will try to get some videos.

I did not install adjustable sway bar end links. Is there a particular brand you guys would recommend that do not increase NVH? What about for thrust sheets?

This weekend I plan on taking the spring out of the front so I can compress the front suspension fully while turning the wheels in both directions to confirm the sway bar is not binding at all. To further complicate things the ohlins struts do not index into the hub like the OEM struts do so its possible I got the alignment off slightly which could cause the sway bar to bind.

I think the noise may also be coming from the left top hat. As far as I can tell the top hats seem to be identical side-to-side so I could swap them and see if the noise follows the top hat..?

[W Cole]

Originally Posted by chris3g

does it happen constantly while you are turning the wheels or only when you hit a certain point? i have something that may be similar, post a recording of the noise if you can.

Only at a certain point. Which is about mid-way or so to max turning.

[circlek]

Any resolution to your issue? I am having the same noise that started today. Noise occurs when turning the wheel sharply left to right while stationary. In the engine bay you can hear a noise coming from the drivers side near the firewall, that is in addition to the creaking sound coming from the steering column.

[gonoyaro11]

I had same problem like you when I installed ohlins r&t ! the noise was come from spring becasue I compressed the spring too much..after a few turns loosen for preload-spring, the noise is gone