Creaking sound with 3” Eibach/Bilstein lift

The local 4x4 shop installed my 3” suspension lift about two weeks ago. I’m really happy with the look and the ride, but I’ve been hearing a creaking noise when driving at low speeds. It happens when I first accelerate, right before I come to a complete stop, and whenever I go over uneven surfaces/bumps.

I took it back to the shop last week - they said they greased some parts and it fixed the issue. But I still hear it. This is a 2022 TRD ORP with only 17K miles, and it didn’t creak at all before the lift was installed.

Here are some videos with the noise:

• https://streamable.com/jb5f2q
• https://streamable.com/02zlmk

Anyone else have this type of issue, or any ideas on what it may be?

Full lift kit details are below.

• Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 2 Coilovers
• Bilstein B8 Control Arms
• Eibach Rear Shocks
• Toytec Front Swaybar Relocate Kit
• Toytec Front Differential Drop Kit
• Toytec Rear Aluminum 2" Bump Stop Kit

When the lift was installed, I also got new wheels/tires put on.

• Method 703 (17X8.5, 0mm offset, 6X5.5)
• Falken Wildpeak AT4W (285/70r17)

 

I’d bet it’s the poly bushings in the new control arms. They’re louder than rubber. I earned a similar squeak when I put on new rear links with poly bushings.

 

Thanks for the response. In your experience, did the sound improve over time, or was there anything you did to fix it?

 

Your post actually gave me a reminder that I want to pull them off and drown them in grease. I used all they sent, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t enough.

 

2nd the polyurethane upper control arm bushings. I do lift installs and never recommend Total Chaos or Camburg for UCA anymore. They squeak, often.

I had TC upper arms on my Land Cruiser. Squeaked from day 1. After a few months I removed the arms, installed all new bushings, greased them exactly how TC recommended. Still squeaked!!!

I moved onto SPC upper arms and have never been happier to have a quiet truck.

For your 4runner I'd recommend these Upper arms:

1. ICON with delta joint
2. JBA
3. SPC

 

That sounds real bad. I think they installed something wrong. I don’t think it’s because of the UCA bushings. I have camburg UCAs and I grease them every 10k miles or else it squeaks. This is a loud creaking noise. Not normal.

 

That’s my gut feeling too. Especially since I already brought it back into the shop to fix this issue and it didn’t work. A two year old 4Runner with 17K miles shouldn’t sound like this unless there’s a major issue.

 

If the shock and strut bushings and washers weren't installed in the correct order, and if the stud of those is not centered in the mount, it can cause creaking, metal on metal contact.

This breaks it down.
https://youtu.be/EbmUlaEMsO4?si=mzaqMWvJ2po_arWE

 

UPDATE: Found and fixed the issue. Took it back to the shop, and they found that the sway bar was slightly rubbing against the front brace under the skid plate. They adjusted that (probably added a washer or something) and the creaking sound is totally gone. If anyone has a similar issue immediately after the lift install, I’d definitely recommend checking this.

 

Glad you found it.

I forgot about that option. When shops/people take a sway bar off or loosen it for a lift installation, the sway bar can get pushed to one side or the other, off center, and then things like the sway bar link problem could happen.

 

To piggy back in this thread, I now have a clunk when I turn to the left and back up down an incline. and a few other times (just can’t remember or replicate all the time)

iron man lift, just under 3. Didn’t get any noises at first.