[Foveator]

My '19 Ascent Touring has developed a squeak in the rear end when turning a corner. Initially, it only happened when turning right; now it does it which ever way you turn.

I would have immediately thought it was a bad shock or something in the suspension on one of my older American cars, but I really have no idea what is down under there on the Ascent.

Any ideas what to look for? Service will be looking at it shortly.

Many thanks.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

How are your rear brake pads doing?

 

[Foveator]

How are your rear brake pads doing?

Not a hint of a problem with them. It happens with or without breaking. 45,000 miles.(I know, just a baby compared to yours.)

 

[Foveator]

L

How are your rear brake pads doing?

Looking through the forum, I noticed a comment about a loose spare tire and TSB Bulletin# 05-72-19 concerning coil springs and mounts. We can look at that too.

 

[xydadx3]

My '19 Ascent Touring has developed a squeak in the rear end when turning a corner. Initially, it only happened when turning right; now it does it which ever way you turn.
I would have immediately thought it was a bad shock or something in the suspension on one of my older American cars, but I really have no idea what is down under there on the Ascent.
Any ideas what to look for? Service will be looking at it shortly.

Well I was going to hold off on posting until I had investigated more, but my 2019 Premium has the exact same symptom.

Interesting that @Robert.Mauro brought up the rear brake pads because mine were changed recently. Though the sound doesn't appear to have to do with the brakes I'm considering it a possible factor due to when I first noticed the noise. I'll check my spare tire mount soon too but its doubtful; its not consistent enough for that.

My first thought was suspension noise from struts, mounts, ball joints, etc. However, I don't think I've ever heard the noise while driving straight no matter how many bumps I go over. I've noticed it most when turning right. My wife actually thought I was tapping on my horn at first. I realize the forces on the suspension are different when turning vs straight so suspension isn't ruled out, but could that indicate something going on with the rear diff?

My next step is to sit in the 3rd row while someone else drives and try to locate the noise from there.

@Foveator lets team up and figure this out! Let me know what they find at your service visit. I'm holding off on a visit for now.

 

[Foveator]

I just heard back from the dealer.

Apparently the rear coil springs are shifting when the car makes a turn. So no squeak when it is just an up and down motion driving straight on a bumpy road. You have to be rounding a turn for the springs to shift laterally causing the squeak. It sounds like it may have been associated with the problem explained in:

Subaru TSB 05-72-19: This bulletin addresses isolated concerns of a squeaking / creaking -type sound from the rear suspension. The condition is caused by a burr on the end of the coil spring winding produced with an end gap which was out of specification. This allowed the burr to make contact with the mount. Over time, the burr, which is characteristic result of the manufacturing process, can penetrate the rubber isolator and come into direct contact with the strut mount as shown in the photos below. This contact creates the sound described. Should this occur, both the mount and coil spring must be replaced. NEVER attempt to grind or otherwise alter the burr on the new or original equipment coil spring or repair any contact marks with paint or other coatings. Replace the affected parts with new ones.

They are ordering new ones to be installed next week.

 

[xydadx3]

@Foveator if that's indeed the same problem with mine, and I'll bring up that TSB when I take it in, I owe you a beer!

Are you still under warranty or gold plus plan or whatever its called after 36k mi?

 

[xydadx3]

Just to make sure we’re on the same page does this sound a little like the noise you’re hearing? Ignore the diesel-like sound, that’s a toddler’s seat and annoys me so I drown it out with music usually, and the rustling of plastic bags that were in my trunk. The noise sounds a little different on video than in person but it’s there. This was recorded going about 35 moving the wheel back and forth quickly.

 

[Foveator]

Yes, that sounds like it in the background. You would hear mine virtually every time you turned. I am on the extended warranty and was told that I will only have to pay my $50 deductible.
Glad I got it.

 

[CosmoK]

Yes, that sounds like it in the background. You would hear mine virtually every time you turned. I am on the extended warranty and was told that I will only have to pay my $50 deductible.
Glad I got it.

I just heard back from the dealer.

Apparently the rear coil springs are shifting when the car makes a turn. So no squeak when it is just an up and down motion driving straight on a bumpy road. You have to be rounding a turn for the springs to shift laterally causing the squeak. It sounds like it may have been associated with the problem explained in:

Subaru TSB 05-72-19: This bulletin addresses isolated concerns of a squeaking / creaking -type sound from the rear suspension. The condition is caused by a burr on the end of the coil spring winding produced with an end gap which was out of specification. This allowed the burr to make contact with the mount. Over time, the burr, which is characteristic result of the manufacturing process, can penetrate the rubber isolator and come into direct contact with the strut mount as shown in the photos below. This contact creates the sound described. Should this occur, both the mount and coil spring must be replaced. NEVER attempt to grind or otherwise alter the burr on the new or original equipment coil spring or repair any contact marks with paint or other coatings. Replace the affected parts with new ones.

They are ordering new ones to be installed next week.

Yes, that sounds like it in the background. You would hear mine virtually every time you turned. I am on the extended warranty and was told that I will only have to pay my $50 deductible.
Glad I got it.

Yeah, nice that you have the extended warranty. But given that the TSB states the coil spring had an issue that was out of specification, shouldn't that be covered by Subaru, even if someone is out of the 3/36 warranty? I know I'd have a problem paying out of pocket for an issue caused by a part that was put on the vehicle from the factory & out of spec.

 

[Foveator]

I hear you. This was just a TSB, not a recall. But I would have thought that something that was identified as defective by the manufacturer would be covered for an extended period of time. Most coil springs last the life of the car. I did purchase the extended warranty specifically because my 2019 model was built in 2018, the very first year of production for that model.

I can feel a difference in handling with the new springs. And no squeak! The bolt safety recall was fixed at that time too.

PS I had a new Outback loaner while the part was on order. No comparison. Couldn't wait to get back into my "old" Ascent.