Squeaky Suspension
#1
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Squeaky Suspension
I just purchased a 2001 C5 convertible with 30,000 miles. It has the magnetic ride suspension which I love. The issue is the car squeaks when going over bumpy city streets or even pulling into a parking lot. The bumps do not need to be big. Sometimes it is the smaller ones that create the most squeaking. The dealer said it was the rear shocks and replaced them. The squeaking is better with the stiffer new shocks but still there. If I move to sport or performance it squeaks less. The corvette dealer which specializes in corvettes said they have not run into this before. Any help narrowing the issue down is appreciated. Not a big fan of turning heads because of the squeaking versus the beauty of the car.
#2
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
Do some searching on this- It's one of those things that's asked pretty routinely. Very quickly, 99.9% of the time it's your front (and usually your rear as well) sway bar bushings. Just put the car up, unbolt the bolts to each, remove the bushings, lube them with heavy grease (I recommend Super Lube) and put 'em back on. If you want the grease to last, use a dremel tool to grind small grooves in the inside of the front bushings to hold grease.
If you're not comfortable with a repair at this level, go to your favorite shop and have them replace the bushings and make sure they lube them as well.
If you're not comfortable with a repair at this level, go to your favorite shop and have them replace the bushings and make sure they lube them as well.
#3
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Do some searching on this- It's one of those things that's asked pretty routinely. Very quickly, 99.9% of the time it's your front (and usually your rear as well) sway bar bushings. Just put the car up, unbolt the bolts to each, remove the bushings, lube them with heavy grease (I recommend Super Lube) and put 'em back on. If you want the grease to last, use a dremel tool to grind small grooves in the inside of the front bushings to hold grease.
If you're not comfortable with a repair at this level, go to your favorite shop and have them replace the bushings and make sure they lube them as well.
If you're not comfortable with a repair at this level, go to your favorite shop and have them replace the bushings and make sure they lube them as well.
#4
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If you are referring to RPO F45, that is NOT magnetic ride control. It is "Selective Real Time Damping". That system has 3 selections, Tour, Sport and Perfprmance.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control (RPO F55) was not available until the 2003 model year. This system has only 2 selections, Tour and Sport.......
HUGE difference in the two systems.
As stated above likely cause of the squeaking is the sway bar bushings. Typically removing the bushings and applying a wrap or two of Teflon tape around the sway bar under the bushing eliminates the squeaking. Worked well on my car. The sway bar end links could also be an issue. Most earlier models had plastic end links vs the metal end links of later models.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control (RPO F55) was not available until the 2003 model year. This system has only 2 selections, Tour and Sport.......
HUGE difference in the two systems.
As stated above likely cause of the squeaking is the sway bar bushings. Typically removing the bushings and applying a wrap or two of Teflon tape around the sway bar under the bushing eliminates the squeaking. Worked well on my car. The sway bar end links could also be an issue. Most earlier models had plastic end links vs the metal end links of later models.
#5
Le Mans Master
Easy and cheap solution (not for 'waxers')
Grab a $6 can of silicon lube and spray down all the bushings, end links etc lightly. Go for a drive around the block.
90% chance it'll silence the suspension. Repeat annually or as needed.
I've had excellent luck with this method on many cars; including those with noisy metal end links, poly bushings etc.
Don't use WD40 or equivalents, the petroleum may/will degrade the rubber components.
Grab a $6 can of silicon lube and spray down all the bushings, end links etc lightly. Go for a drive around the block.
90% chance it'll silence the suspension. Repeat annually or as needed.
I've had excellent luck with this method on many cars; including those with noisy metal end links, poly bushings etc.
Don't use WD40 or equivalents, the petroleum may/will degrade the rubber components.
#6
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If you are referring to RPO F45, that is NOT magnetic ride control. It is "Selective Real Time Damping". That system has 3 selections, Tour, Sport and Perfprmance.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control (RPO F55) was not available until the 2003 model year. This system has only 2 selections, Tour and Sport.......
HUGE difference in the two systems.
As stated above likely cause of the squeaking is the sway bar bushings. Typically removing the bushings and applying a wrap or two of Teflon tape around the sway bar under the bushing eliminates the squeaking. Worked well on my car. The sway bar end links could also be an issue. Most earlier models had plastic end links vs the metal end links of later models.
Magnetic Selective Ride Control (RPO F55) was not available until the 2003 model year. This system has only 2 selections, Tour and Sport.......
HUGE difference in the two systems.
As stated above likely cause of the squeaking is the sway bar bushings. Typically removing the bushings and applying a wrap or two of Teflon tape around the sway bar under the bushing eliminates the squeaking. Worked well on my car. The sway bar end links could also be an issue. Most earlier models had plastic end links vs the metal end links of later models.
#7
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Problem is not that the bushings are bad. Usually a light layer of rust develops under the bushing because the twisting action of the sway bar causes the paint on the bar to be removed by the bushing. Rust can easily develop on the then bare steel bar under the bushing. Grease helps but water can wash it out in many instances. The Teflon tape allows the bar to twist and the bushing rides/rubs on the Teflon tape avoiding the squeak.
#8
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
I'm certain it's your sway bar bushings. Dollar to your donut. A little Teflon spray will not help- Do some searching. Heavy axle grease or "SuperLube" is the way to go.
Search the post where the OP discusses small grooves inside the felt of the bushing. Works like a charm. They may not have even removed your sway bay bushings- They may have just sprayed the Teflon spray from the outside. Before I did mine, I had an outfit here in San Diego called "Top Flight Corvette" rip me off for the same thing, $200 and still squeaking. It was only after finding the post about dremeling in grooves and loading them with SuperLube that I cured my issue. I did it with ramps in 20 minutes per axle.
Search the post where the OP discusses small grooves inside the felt of the bushing. Works like a charm. They may not have even removed your sway bay bushings- They may have just sprayed the Teflon spray from the outside. Before I did mine, I had an outfit here in San Diego called "Top Flight Corvette" rip me off for the same thing, $200 and still squeaking. It was only after finding the post about dremeling in grooves and loading them with SuperLube that I cured my issue. I did it with ramps in 20 minutes per axle.
#9
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I'm certain it's your sway bar bushings. Dollar to your donut. A little Teflon spray will not help- Do some searching. Heavy axle grease or "SuperLube" is the way to go.
Search the post where the OP discusses small grooves inside the felt of the bushing. Works like a charm. They may not have even removed your sway bay bushings- They may have just sprayed the Teflon spray from the outside. Before I did mine, I had an outfit here in San Diego called "Top Flight Corvette" rip me off for the same thing, $200 and still squeaking. It was only after finding the post about dremeling in grooves and loading them with SuperLube that I cured my issue. I did it with ramps in 20 minutes per axle.
Search the post where the OP discusses small grooves inside the felt of the bushing. Works like a charm. They may not have even removed your sway bay bushings- They may have just sprayed the Teflon spray from the outside. Before I did mine, I had an outfit here in San Diego called "Top Flight Corvette" rip me off for the same thing, $200 and still squeaking. It was only after finding the post about dremeling in grooves and loading them with SuperLube that I cured my issue. I did it with ramps in 20 minutes per axle.
#10
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
#11
Racer
greasing sway bar bushings helped for some of it but there is still a squeak when I press on the breaks.. kinda odd. What could that be? car doesnt have to be moving just still and it squeaks
#13
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Well the issue was the front and rear shocks. And with Select Ride Control they were not cheap. Since the dealer should have caught the problem during their Corvette Specialist used car inspection they did the back total and clipped me for the wholesale cost on the shocks on the front. I am still a little upset they charge anything. I did offer them the car back and I would pick out another. At least it is does not squeak.
#14
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I too had noise, found it to be the Sway bar bushing. The stock had some kind of tape. I replaced my sway bars with a Z06 size and put teflon tape around the bar where the bushing went, this lasted about 2 years. If the noise returns, I'll just put new teflon tape in the same points. This is a place that will get movement and wear out the teflon. I did the grease on the stock setup, it didn't last very long. Some bushing holders have grease fittings and special bushing just for this. I have the harder poly bushings so teflon was my solution. Good luck.