Hey all, got my xB this past summer and now that school is settling in i'm getting some time to mod and fix a few things on the xB2. My first concern is this; it's getting colder out (I live in Winnipeg, Canada) and I've noticed that lately there has been an odd squeaking noise coming from (I think) the dash somewhere. Anyone else had similar problems? If not, what should I do? disassemble and reassemble the dash? or maybe is it the front suspension? Second order of business; I noticed a few people putting 10mm to 15mm spacers on the back or all of their wheels to achieve a desired look. I'm thinking about doing this but I was told by one of my coworkers that it's hard on your wheel bearings and that it shouldn't be done on a daily driver in a cold climate. I have no problem replacing my wheel bearings every 50k miles but I don't want to be doing this and regretting it. One last question, I'm thinking about getting the five axis body kit but i'm not to sure about having it due to snow in the winter. Anyone from the northern states with this kit with an opinion?

 

My XB is over 3 years old with 45k miles and squeeks and rattles everywhere. You can try to fix them or just turn up the volume on the stereo and remember you're driving a cheap econobox. If you add wheel spacers (and I would not) just be sure to get ones with wheel studs attached or longer replacement studs. The oem wheel studs are not long enough to run any spacer safely.

If you haven't already dropped your car, do that and skip the 5-Axis kit unless you can park your car for the winter. I'm only dropped on TRD springs and yet I had to park my car for 4 days last winter and when I did start driving it again I bottomed out numerous times on leftover snow, ripping one plastic shield off the underside.

Oh... and I live in MD, If I still lived in PA my car would have either been parked for 10+ days or suffered a lot more damage. MD does a fantastic spare-no-expense job on snow removal, PA does not. I'm not sure what it's like where you live.

 

Yes, our cars rattle everywhere because it's cheap plastic.

A lot of people have taken apart the dashboard, A and B pillars and wrapped some of the bolts with a foam protector to stop it from rubbing on the plastic.

When I get some real time on my hands, I might pursue this endeavor because I'm sick of all the squeaks. It's aggravating, and I'm at 52,000 on my box.

 

5k and it's starting rattle and I think I might be hearing a squeak by the left corner of the window, the rattle is coming from our a pillar.

 

LOL...Glad I am not the only one. I am on Hotchkis springs and was driving along on 695 when one of my plastic shields ripped off from the underside due to the snow/ice in the road. I kinda just shrugged it off and kept on driving.

Just like Fred said though...I would not get the lip kit if you even think you will have problems with clearance. No point in spending the money to tear the kit all up. Its the only reason I do not have it on my car...