New owner of 2007 CX9 strange front end noise

[Davicho]

It doesn't matter how quick a technician finishes a prarticular job (in this case replacing the transfer case in a day and a half). If the labor hours state that it takes 30 hours to do this job, that is what your going to get charged...period. This is how technicians make their living, finish the job correctly in less time then what it is being charged. This is why in a good economy a tech can make good money by banking more labor hours (80-120 hours a week) then hours worked (40-50 hours a week).

 

[2007cx9]

Strut mounts and stabilizer bushings wont cure the creaking noise. If you paid for them get a refund, if you are going to pay for them, dont.

The noise comes from the actual bump stops that "should" glide over the strut's rod when compressing. The problem is that the bump stops are either made of a material that does not glide smoothly on the shaft or they are way to tight to glide on the shaft. The cure for this is a simple squirt of white lithium grease or dielectric grease on the top and bottom of the bump stop.

Jack up your CX-9 and lift the dust boot that covers the bump stop squirt some grease. Lift the bump stop and squirt grease on the bottom part as well. Glide the "now" smooth bump stop up and down to lubricate and distribute the grease on the strut rod/shaft. Repeat this process on the opposite side (left or right) and voila! no more annoying noise/sound.

Since this part is somewhat exposed to water/snow/other external elements this procedure may have to be re done when/if noise comes back. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info Davicho. It's posts like this that really make this site helpful. Now, when it starts creaking again, I will know what to do. I already have some white grease on standby. I bet Vaseline would work good too.

 

[Davicho]

No problem 2007cx9, always willing to help! Vaseline should work as well...just a little more difficult to apply and a lot more messy...LOL!