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Priapus squeaks; What's up with that?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by TonyPSchaefer, Aug 18, 2011.

  1. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Truth be told, I'm not a car guy. So even some of the more mundane automotive issues have me stymied. With this in mind, can someone please explain to me why it sounds like Priapus' undercarriage is squeaking when I roll over uneven pavement and make slow turns and the like? These are not internal sounds as I know all those.

    It's a metal-on-metal squeaking kind of like rolling around on an old mattress.
     
  2. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    First the HID sensor, now the squeaks. I think you are just paving the way to get a new car... :rolleyes:
     
  3. northwichita

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    It needs greasing, unfortunately there are no grease zerks ( that I know ) on this car. Do you have any broken rubber boots on the tie rods, ball joints, or sway bar links? That would be a good clue. I replaced my sway bar links recently, boots were partially gone, to cure my noisy car.

    http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/aut...abilizers/front_sway_bar_link.html?3593=84767
    above link is for photo only, I bought mine on ebay.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    turn the radio up. :)
     
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I really am eyeing a 2012 PHV.

    Its hard to miss the noises with a car this silent.

    NorthW: I can take a look but, referring to the OP, I might not know it if I see it.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when you get to my age, you won't hear the squeaks. or the radio!
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Could it be the springs?
     
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Do you also hear it when you are not in the car? It could be your knees.

    Tom
     
  9. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Check the shrouding around the muffler, it comes loose and as the muffler sways around makes contact, at least mine did and as the muffler is a hollow tube the sound seemed to originate from the front end.
     
  10. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    Priapus likes to post here every once in a while. Why dont you ask him to post about it?

    Can you get a recording of the sound?
     
  11. Priapus

    Priapus Alter Ego

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    Pervert shoved a microphone in my rear and started rocking me up and down! :eek:
     
  12. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    See what happens when I try to diagnose a problem? He's belligerent and difficult.
     
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You recently jacked up the car to check out the HID thingamajig right? Maybe you stressed bushings or your spring perches such that they move around more. I would also check the rear of the car for the same issues. Jacking up the car, especially from just one corner, can cause some parts to loosen up or even crack if they are rusted.
     
  14. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Squeaks? Priapus? You need some lube, obviously. :p
     
    1 person likes this.
  15. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    There was no jacking. I backed up onto blocks. I've done that several times in the past.
     
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Well, it's less likely to be the problem but I would check anyway. Those are the most likely to cause a metallic squeak. A broken muffler hanger can cause a similar sound.
     
  17. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I just wanted to be clear that I was not jacking Priapus.
     
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Well you did say it started squeaking. Whatever you do to your own car is your business.
     
  20. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Of course it sqeeks. Its a metal machine. Its dry as a bone and rusted.
    It needs to be lubricated with spray grease. Lots of moving parts there in the front end. Especially the trailing arms.
    My cars don't sqeek.

    Plus it doesn't help if its spent its life on severely overinflated tires.
    That beats the sh*t out of the suspension.
    Its probably why so many people complain about rattles.
    I've tried inflating my tires to 50 lbs. Whoa the car hits really really hard on the slightest bump. Not good.