Hi guys. Sorry, I've been absent for awhile. The cat's been working well. I thought I'd seek out advice here first before I take it in for a (possibly) costly trip to the garage. Plus, I've seen similar posts on the problem.

I have an '04 X-Type 2.5 L. It runs well, but there's a really annoying, high pitched squeaking sound from what sounds like the rear wheel on the driver side that starts soon after I set off. It seems to happen more when I roll over bumps. However, it doesn't happen when anyone gets in the car, nor does it happen when I push down above the rear wheel. Also, I had the mechanic check out the rear suspension when I was in for my last oil change, an he said everything looked fine.

I guess what I'm wondering from you guys is does this sound like the handbrake cable problem? If so, where on the underside do I find the problem area?

Thanks!

 

Dustin, try applying a little bit of WD-40 to the bushings for the rear sway bar mounts. See if that fixes your squeak. After that, does it sound like rubber on metal squeak, metal on metal squeak, etc. That may help someone narrow down where your problem may be.

 

It just sounds like a constant rubbing more than anything, which led me to believe (and hope) it's just the handbrake cable issue. I'll try the bushing, see if that helps. I'm just wondering if I can get to the handbrake cable where it rubs from the side, or would I need to take it somewhere where I can get all the way underneath the car.

 

Dustin, you can access the last 3 feet of the cable by simply removing the rear wheel. If you have a floor jack (not the little jack or the like that came with the car), then you can lift the car up higher getting 2 wheels off of the ground and being able to crawl under the car. Do not forget to use jack stands. They are cheap for what will handle the load of your car.

 

Mine has that on the other side. The back seat has a small squeak when pushing on it but it's different than the squeak while driving. I've had it up on a lift and sprayed every moving part and it did nothing. I think it may be the right rear door itself but absolutely cannot trace it down although I have been trying for over a year.

 

Just been into the shop to get it looked at. They say it's the "rear forward lateral links" that have loose bushings. Is that different than the rear control arm that I've seen commonly need replacing on these forums?