So I've had this HORRIBLE creaking at low speeds ever since a buddy and I installed my Tokico D-Specs shocks. I thought it might be the power steering gear tube brackets, as I read in cliffyk's awesome write up at http://www.paladinmicro.com, but that was not the problem.
Its very bad at low speeds when turning. I had my girlfriend turn the wheel while I checked it out and found that its only the passenger side shock that is affected. Seems that the when the wheel turns the piston inside the shock is rubbing.
I'm thinking that the geometry of the shock might be off. Could this happen if it is not in a straight line?

P.S. Cliffs page has all kinds of cool info, check it out.

 

Damper or rack bushings

 

I've already ruled out the rack bushings. I'm unclear about what the damper bushings are. Are those the bushing on the top of the shock?

 

After the install, did you make sure to re-tighten the top strut bolts? Make sure the nut is turning. I usually have to tighten them up another 3 turns after getting the car on the ground and driven a 1/2 mile.

 

Yea, torqued to spec.

I just shot the top of it with WD-40 and made sure that nothing leaked down the shock and the noise is gone!?!

I hope it was just dirty but I now have pinpointed where the sound was coming from.

What king of lube or grease can I safely put on there:

 

Can you take another pic of that camber plate from the side (not top) and show the spacer? I can't see the spacer, but if you have any slack around that spacer, it'll make that sound. It's looks like a lot of threads showing on that strut bolt. If your kit had a larger spacer (15M?), I'd put it on and retorque. You could put some sticky lithium grease on there, but it shouldn't need it, if it's setup right.

 

http://s88.beta.photobucket.com/user..._1391.jpg.html
http://s88.beta.photobucket.com/user..._1393.jpg.html
http://s88.beta.photobucket.com/user..._1392.jpg.html

So you can see in the 1st pic that there is no space. CC plate is from Steeda and didn't come with a space.

I think a little of that grease will fix it.

 

You actually have 2 spacers on there. Usually, you use just one. It's possible they are binding together.