How to eliminate front chassis flex / creaking sound?

[Click_It]

Years ago I did the Aspire swap and around the same time I inherited what sounds to me like chassis flex/creaking. I'm guessing it's from the much stiffer Aspire sway bar stressing the chassis (could be wrong but that's when it started).

It's only evident at low speeds, pulling in/out of driveways, going over the many speed bumps we have in Australia and the like. I guess I've been remarkably good at ignoring it but I'd like to finally fix it.

I always wondered if a good strong front strut brace would fix it but I also read somewhere on these forums that someone was making/sourcing a lower control arm support that apparently fixes it. I'm just wondering if anyone knows more about that part or other possible remedies (strut brace?) I could try. If the control arm support part is the solution, I'm assuming that's a completely custom part that needs to be made.

Just out of interest, is this "flex" I'm talking about doing any long term harm or just an annoying sound?

EDIT: I could record the sound and put it up on Youtube or something if that would help.

[bhazard]

Cut out the front core support and fabricate one. It's the single best thing you can do for the chassis.

[bhearts]

Check out gomez build thread for that mod. It's a bit intensive though.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Click_It]

Thanks guys for putting me on the right track.

Looks like I have some homework ahead of me then as getting non factory fabrication in Australia certified is difficult.

The job itself is beyond me too so I'll talk to some fabricators and see what I can find, hopefully it's not tooooo exx$pensive a task but time will tell...

(This job will have to be put on ice until I have moved interstate - here in Australia when you move interstate you have to take your car over the pits for a close inspection, anything they don't like means you can't register the car)

[Movin]

Instead of modding or replacing an engineered structural part of the car can you get away with adding a skid plate - rock guard that would accomplish the same thing?

[sketchman]

I don't think you can add anything to do what a new front core support will do. I guess you could just weld plate over the stock piece, but then you're basically doing the same thing except you then have redundant metal, under the plate, for no reason.

[F3BZ]

speed bumps? in Australia? i didn't see any speed bumps in the road warrior. just the occasional speed metal meth head freak needing a Firestone facial. maybe too much of my world outlook comes from TV

[Click_It]

speed bumps? in Australia? i didn't see any speed bumps in the road warrior. just the occasional speed metal meth head freak needing a Firestone facial. maybe too much of my world outlook comes from TV

I guess they didn't survive the apocalyptic destruction

[Movin]

I don't think you can add anything to do what a new front core support will do. I guess you could just weld plate over the stock piece, but then you're basically doing the same thing except you then have redundant metal, under the plate, for no reason.

I was thinking more like plates sandwiched behind the bumper ( bolted in between ) and welded to square tubing. The tube would have plate welded to "guard the trans and oil pan " that would also be sandwiched between the crossmember and the body - front and rear. A new mount would be needed on the passenger rear. To make sure a rock does not flex the plate a x reinforcement to the plate would keep the flex happening up front. All add on no changing of engineering , purely to keep rocks in the road from damaging the drivetrain but just so happens to contain the necessary rigidity to stop front flex.

What might get it is the crumple area above the cv shafts would also be reinforced, just because not any plating there. This guides where the engine will wind up in a high speed front collision.

[nitrofarm]

As much as I hate to say this because so many have put Aspire Front bars in their Cars. It doesnt appear to be a proper fit, it pushes the LCA & Knuckle Backwards. I've seen before & after pics (I haven't & wont do it).But it looks like it relocates the front tire @ 3/4" rearward in relation to the wheel well.

[Team Lightning]

Nitro, you are correct, it does move it back. I pulled both my Aspire bars and put the Festiva ones back on. Car handles better to me.

[shadetree]

Said this a long time ago !

[14carrot]

So why not cut it down and rethread it? Would it work?

[Movin]

? Sheesh..you just install enough lift to bring the caster back to stock!

[Team Lightning]

But mine has anti lift? Reverse lift? ( it's lowered)