I just recently had my01 aligned on Tuesday. The difference in the handling is astounding... SO much better. Now to the problem. Not long after getting an alignment we get a minor ice storm. Driving home from work yesterday temps were somewhere around the 33-34 degree temp. I noticed the front end started making this LOUD groaning/ creaking noise. I start rolling over from the faster lane towards the outside lane to pull over and make sure everything was ok. Then just as quick as the noise came... it was gone so I kept going. This morning I drive 45 miles to work on the highway... its cold as hell... probably in the high 20's... car is covered in ice, black ice on the inner streets but not on the highway. Once I get off the highway and come to my 2nd stoplight and start to pull forward. I hear the LOUD groaning/ creaking noise again but this time its coming from the rear of the car. And seemed to make the noise whenever the weight would shift towards the rear on either side. Could this simply be ice or should I take it back to the shop that did the alignment and have them check it out?

 

Ok one thing of note... when I took the car to the shop to get the alignment I had the guys tighten the rear spline/ hub nuts to 220lbs due to the creaking/ popping in the rear end. Could that be the cause of it? Should I have them go back to the base factory settings and see how it acts from there. I know the popping has been going on for awhile... whats the long term effect of the popping noise? The noise is coming from the rear and it seems as if something is too tight.

Im taking the car to the shop in an hour so quick replies and suggestions would be of must importance! THanks everyone