squi****y squi****y

Hearing sounds from the front end of my 2004 C4S that I can only describe as "squi****y squi****y." Started on the right side and now hearing on both sides. While listening from inside the car, the sounds come clearly from the "top" of the car, not from underneath, almost like it's the rubber windshield seal but doesn't seem like that. Tried to unsuccessfully to capture on audio. Only happens with small suspension travel, such as on relatively flat roads with lumpies. Maybe happens more when colder outside but can't say for sure. Not able to replicate by pushing or pulling on either corner of the car when parked in the garage, only happens on the lumpy roads. No clunking or other "hard" sounds, just the "squi****y squi****y" on lumpy roads. It's an irritating sound on an otherwise perfect car. I researched a bit and it seems like I need new strut mounts and bearings. Pulled the right front wheel off and inspected from above and below but not sure if anyhting is unusual (pictures attached). Can't really see the the top of the mount since covered by the big washer and it's off center enough that I can't get a socket on the bolt and for sure not able to counter-hold the shaft that way, so didn't attempt to undo anything. Am I on the right track or is there something else I should investigate? I don't want to drop $700+ on parts and $300+ on an alignment and still have the sound. Anything else I should do while I'm in there? Car is 15yrs old and just passed 90k so a suspension overhaul seems in order but I'm not hearing any creaks, rattles or clunks yet and visual inspection shows no tears or splits in anything so holding off on that for now. Thanks for the input! -Dennis 2004 C4S 2010 Boxster 1959 Sprite

I'm not sure what sound the squi****y is, but a squeaky sound is usually caused by the ball joint(plastic against a metal ball). To temporarily stop it and to verify, you can take a syringe full of wd40 and inject it into the rubber dust boot of the ball joint and then a dab of black silicon sealer to seal the pin hole to see if it stops it..Then replace the ball joint.

Dilute Washing up liquid usually solves rubbery squeaks liberally applied

Quotes source post: 15499039

I have a 2003 C4S with the exact same thing and would describe it the same way. I have tried pushing the window or frame around the top of the window when it squeaks (that's the closest word I used to describe it) but once it starts I can't seem to stop it. And it doesn't do it all the time - just sporadically and, like you said, possibly when the temp is colder (but I'm not 100% sure on that). Wish I could offer help but I'm definitely going to follow this thread. Hope you figure it out.

Check out this video...is this the noise? Squeak

Thanks everyone for the inputs! I tried to title my post "squish-ity squish-ity" but without the dash, the middle of the word got grokked into ****. Ha! This morning I tried once again to capture the noise on audio. See attached video. It makes it sound a lot louder and more intense than it really is. It's not nearly as "mechanical" sounding as the video makes it seem. Porschetech3, it's really not a "squeaky" sound and it's definitely coming from the top side of the car, not from underneath. Thanks for the diagnostic technique, though. I never thought about making a syringe of WD-40 for something. trevorhp, Your idea is interesting because i may be able to squirt some dish washing soap into the top of the strut mount area. If the sound changes even slightly then that would nail the diagnosis. I'll let you know how it turns out. JTT, thanks for the pointer to the video. Fortunately not the issue I have, but the tutorial is great! Cheers, -Dennis

That video does sound more mechanical, looks like a job for someone with a good set of "electronic chassis ears" to diagnose.

It's hard to tell from the video how close they are but I think mine is the same. If I push up on my sunroof it makes a somewhat similar noise, like a seal being rubbed or something, which makes me think it's like a windshield seal...but I can't reproduce it or stop it by pushing on the windshield so that's out. It's like one of those rattles that changes where it's coming from.

It was the top strut mount and bearing on both sides. I'm guessing that the strut mount started to separate (first picture) and this extra play ruined the bearings (second picture). Overall straight forward job to replace the mounts. I went slow and it took me 4hrs for the first side and 2hrs for the second side. I kept trying to find a way to NOT remove the bottom splash shield, NOT disconnect the driveshafts from the hubs (car is 2004 C4S) and NOT loosen the "coffin arm" (?) bolt where it attaches to the frame but alas, all of these steps were 100% necessary. A spring compressor was needed to get the strut short enough to clear the fender. Thanks to everyone who posted how-to's on this job and for the help on this thread.