Scotty, I had a question about my 2011 Toyota Rav4 (2.5L) that I got for my wife and I a couple months ago. It runs and drives very well, has 180k miles, but whenever I'm driving I am noticing a little "creaking" sound coming from the front passenger side of the car, sounds like it could maybe part of the strut? The suspension still feels very smooth and I am not sure exactly what it could be
Can you post a video?
When I had a Corolla of it would creak in turns but that was just the dash board plastics 😅
Could be several things. The rubber boots on things could be dried out. Some rubber rejuvenator in a spray bottle will help there. Get some AT205 reseal, dilute some in a spray bottle and spray away on all your suspension rubber parts. Could be something in the dash creaking maybe. The strut or the strut mount. At that mileage your struts are probably dead anyway. It is a Toyota, I have seen theirs last longer though. Any other car I’d bet good money the struts are dead.
I found out the issue. not too long ago I took it in to get an alignment and the shop said they couldn't do it without replacing the lower control arms because the bearings were shot in them. So instead of paying a ton to have them change them out, I replace the control arms myself then had them do an alignment and so far I haven't heard that same creaking noise once. Turns out the shocks / struts were worn out after all.
Does it creak on smooth tarmac/potholes/while turning/while braking?
You can try this -
