Basic Questions

[k-man]

I am new to the thread and have a few questions re: my 93 Q45 and I thought I might be able to get some answers.

1. For about the past month, I am getting this ear splitting high frequency noise from my rear speakers. It is sort of like the sound that you hear with a test of the emergency broadcast system. It appears when I start the car and usually disappears in after several minutes. One time it lasted for several hours. If the volume is turned higher, I can hear the radio station music or whatever but this noise tends to drown out the regular broadcast. It seems to involve both speakers.

2. My driver seat is beginning to crack and I was wondering if the leather can be replaced just in the seat and if so, any idea how much it will cost.

3. I have developed a noise in the front suspension area, sort of like a creaking noise. It is temperature dependent because I remember it started this past spring, disappeared in summer and now appears again with the arrival of cooler temperatures. I had it checked this summer at the dealer and they could not find anything.

Steve K.93 Q (135,000 miles and going strong)

[Mayhem_J30]

welcome k-man1) sounds like your amps are going out on your speakers. check out http://www.carstereohelp.com2) yes, checkprices around town, probably not cheap3) most likely a bushing somewhere is falling apart. there's several bushings in the suspension especially the front, and with 135000 miles, they most likely all need to be replaced.

[greg_atlanta]

I have a similar problem to #3 on my '92 Q and my cheap fix was to buy a can of synthetic bearing grease ($5) and smear it on all the big bushings. It's messy, but it worked!

There are some parts which may have worn out and need to be replaced... upper links, tension rods, tie rod ends, maybe shocks?? But if all those are OK, I'd try the grease.

Rebuilding the entire suspension would be nice, but very expensive.

For #2... I assume the problem is the driver's seat? Even if it's cracking, the best thing to do is prevent further cracking. Lexol cleaner and conditioner is the best all-around product that's widely available. Have you been conditioning the leather now and then already?

For #1, I'd agree... just rebuild or replace the amps. Common problem. Search on "Bose" or "amps" in this forum for info.

[DAEDALUS]

Creaking on the front is very often the upper link. They normally last about 60k, I think. Do both fronts--do a search for "upper link" or "upper links". Parts will be about $105 each. The seats can be re-upholstered better than stock, but will cost you. Palmerwmd had it done a while back, and will probably tell you it was money very well spent.