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If you have a squeek at the rear and the struts have been replaced it is probably the spring that is rubbing on the seat. The factory installs rubber sleves on the ends of the spring to eliminate the noise and when you get the struts replaced they use the same springs. Well, after many years the rubber falls apart and you get metal to metal contact and squeeks. It is not a major problem unless it drives you nuts. You could always take it back and have them install new rubber on the ends of the spring to eliminate the noise. Now, to confirm that this is what it is just get some WD-40 and spray where the spring meets the mount at the bottom. Then drive the car and the squeek should be gone.
Thanks for your rapid response & thank you for talking in a language that is easy to understand. I sent to Allexperts an excellent rating for your reply. So, hope you don't mind my imposing, but I do have another question or 2 for you. That sleeve I descibed, it's a tube that looks like it's supposed to run from top to bottom. My driver's side rear, that sleeve (sorta looks like an accoridian in its ridges & looks like it's made of plastic) runs from top to bottom, and seems to have some tears in it, but runs from top to bottom. On my boyfriend's car (he has a '94 nissan sentra XE too) This sleeve on his car on both sides goes from top to bottom, it looks like there are splits in it, but they go from top to bottom. On my car the passenger side, the side that appears to be making the noise, 1/3 of it appears to be stuck at the top & the rest sits on the bottom or may be it's just sitting there. Should I be concerned that it doesn't run from top to bottom like the other side does or his car does? What it looks like on that passenger rear end area is: there's a 1 1/2-2" steel rod the runs straight up & down, then there's a thick spring that wraps around it, say about 3 inches away from the steel rod, then it looks like this "sleeve" is supposed to cover them both. I'd guess this sleeve is probably 4" across. Is there a purpose for this sleeve? Should I see about having it replaced?
Another question I have: when my car is cold, & I take off slowly & am turning it feels like the car my stall, or that the power steering is fighting to keep the car going. What can I do about that? There has also been a few very cold mornings that I hear a fairly loud hum from the front end, & it makes me think that I may have a loose belt somewhere. I have recently received a free 100 point check-up from the dealer that I bought this car from. I have scheduled to go & have this done. Any words of wisdom that I should watch out for before consenting to them doing any work? Thank you so much for your time & efforts in responding to my questions. Again, I really appreciate it!
AnswerThe sleve you describe crack and fall apart on all struts eventually. It just keeps dirt and water off the piston. The part I was describing is the part that slips over the end of the spring. It looks like clear or off white plastic and it slips on the end of the spring. It just keeps the spring from rubbing on the pad that it sits on. Get some WD-40 and spray it on the bottom of the spring and see if the noise goes away. If it does you have found your problem. I have a new 350Z and the rear sounds like yours. And, it is new. WD-40 works for me. But, after it rains or I drive through water it ends up making noise until I spray it again. It is anoying and to fix it I am going to have to take the spring out and put the rubber end on it that Nissan forgot.
