What Causes the Squeaking Sound When Driving Over Speed Bumps with a Cold Car?
2 Answers
It is recommended to visit a repair shop for inspection to specifically identify the source of the abnormal noise and perform targeted repairs. Generally, the "abnormal noise" in a car's chassis should be referred to as suspension system noise, which mostly comes from: 1. Loose or detached connecting components in the chassis, excessive looseness or gaps due to prolonged use, etc. 2. Loose connecting balls, deformed stabilizer bars, or aged and detached buffer rubbers. 3. Abnormal tire pressure (too high or too low), imbalance, etc., which may affect handling performance or produce tire noise. 4. "Noise" from shock absorbers: Generally, shock absorbers themselves rarely produce abnormal noise. Noise can occur only when the shock absorber fails, deteriorates, has loose internal components, loose shock absorber bushing, lack of oil (hydraulic cylinder type), or oil leakage. 5. "Abnormal noise" caused by buffer rubber blocks in other related parts or the swing (jump) rate of high-speed rotating balance components. 6. Human factors (operational errors): Such as unreasonable assembly, inconsistent tightening during assembly, missing or omitted components, etc. 7. Quality of parts: Either the parts have reached the end of their service life or there are quality issues with the parts themselves.
A squeaking noise when going over speed bumps with a cold car is quite a common issue, and I'd like to share my observations. Often, it's the rubber components in the suspension system that harden in cold weather, such as the dust boots on the shock absorbers or the spring seats. When temperatures drop, the rubber contracts, causing friction that results in squeaking. Additionally, when a car has been parked for a long time and is just started, the grease hasn't had time to fully lubricate, making ball joints or connection points prone to dryness. The pressure and friction when going over speed bumps then produce noise. I think it's best to drive slowly for a while before setting off to warm up the suspension, which can temporarily alleviate the issue. If the noise persists, especially being more noticeable in winter, it's advisable to have the aged rubber components checked and replaced at a repair shop. Otherwise, prolonged neglect could worsen suspension wear and compromise safety.
