My 95 Z I will say first has 175,000 plus on it. Always driven, don't own a garage.There is a groaning noise coming from the right rear side of the car over bumps and turns. Another problem that recently developed is the rear suspension seems quite hard and makes loud noises as I drive over bumps.

What could these be and is there a way to resolve them? or are they just what happens to a unitised Camaro as it gets up in years and driven on salty roads .Thanks

 

With that mileage, creaks and groans should be somewhat expected. I'm sure most of the suspension parts are due up for replacement if they haven't already been. If the car is making a clunking noise over bumps, I would just verify that there are no loose bolts on the lower control arms in the rear and that the shocks are functioning properly as well. If you are still on a stock suspension, you may want to look into replacing the bushings from front to back and throw on some fresh shocks. That will make a huge difference. A pair of subframe connectors will also do the trick in tightening up the chassis and eliminating alot of those annoying creaks and rattles.

 

My rear suspension creaks and groans when I drive over the top of the down-ramp in a multi-storey car park.I had an '87 Trans-am GTA previously that did exactly the same thing in multi-storey car parks.
As 2000GTP suggested sub-frame connectors would help.
All the best,Mark.

 

Ditto here. I have 93K (no garage). In cold weather I have come to expect it, though I agree that it is annoying. Especially since I did the LCA bushings not too long ago (fixed it by the way) - and now the problem is coming back. But, I also drive an '04 Impala with 36K. Cold weather + speed bumps = creaks in that car too. Maybe it's a Chevy thing.

 

It sure must be. I do take note of the fact my 84 Z did it as well, but way before 100,000 miles. Then again, I had to close the door several times before I was confident it was shut as early as 30,000

As far as the bushings, I am considering adding the 1LE front sway bar and all the rear bushings . Would that be the wrong type to upgrade since they are a harder than stock bushings?

 

If you go with harder poly bushings, they will tighten up the car quite a bit and still have good street manners.

 

I'm sure no expert... but wouldn't poly bushings aggravate creaking and groaning in the long run? Don't they require a regular routine of lubrication?

 

As long as they are properly lubricated, the poly bushings should be pretty quiet.

 

The groans are probably the LCA bushings. As for the loud bump. Check to make sure your rubber bump stop hasn't fallen off. I"m missing one of mine and when the rear axle hits the bare "frame" it is pretty harsh. My groans are also alot louder when it's cold outside. My car has 191k on it. As far as I know everything suspension wise is original. I"m going to get granite impregnated poly eurathane bushings... new springs and shocks.