Same as many of you my H&R's started creaking/groaning a few months after install. And same as most of you guys I messed around with them trying to get them quiet and not much impacted the noise. Mine actually was only really on one side (passenger). I purchased a second set of front struts with new strut mounts, I did this with the intention of raising the car back to stock height for the winter. (this last winter was brutal around here). When I was putting the H&R's in the new struts and mounts I noticed that the rubber was really sticky right off the bat, and the top bearings were really smooth when loaded. I installed the OEM springs in the original struts and mounts. I believe that the creaking/groaning is being caused by 2 things. #1 due to the different load placed on the strut if the mounts both top and bottom are dirty (i.e. after our crappy winter, or a dusty environment) the bearing will be more likely to bind and shutter. 2 the rubber seats if they are also dirty I believe that it may be possible that the spring may be again binding and groaning in the seats (Slipping). When I installed the new struts and mounts no creaking/groaning. Removing the struts on the 13+ is much easier than on the previous years. So removal and cleaning is easier. I recommend flushing out the bearings under some running water and then re-lube, maybe someone can recommend a spray lube for this as getting a a traditional grease into the bearings is impossible. Cleaning the top and bottom rubber mounts, and dressing with something (Belt dressing?) To ensure a good seat. I have driven the car with the new struts for a few days now and no creaking/groaning and the steering is really smooth now.
One other thing when I removed the old top mounts to install the OEM springs they were really dirty and were binding loaded and not. The design is not the greatest at keeping out debris and was full of all kinds of gunk.
