Squeaking Suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Miami FL
Squeaking Suspension
When I purchase my Vette last year, all the suspension components were bad. So after a bit of research and since this is a driver, I purchased and installed a complete suspension upgrade from VB&P. It included rear and front springs (rear composite) shocks and poly bushings. The car handles really well, but the bushing squeaks really badly, so much that it is embarrassing. Is there a fix for this, short of replacing the bushings with rubber ones. I really don't want to take everything apart again; I have other things that need fixing. A friend suggested putting transmition fluid on them, but I will like some real experience suggestions.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Re: Squeaking Suspension (shft22)
........I purchased and installed a complete suspension upgrade from VB&P. It included rear and front springs (rear composite) shocks and poly bushings. The car handles really well, but the bushing squeaks really badly, so much that it is embarrassing........
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: Squeaking Suspension (shft22)
There are two kinds of poly bushings - those that squeak, and those that WILL squeak; great for autocross or road-racing. The solution is rubber bushings. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Miami FL
Re: Squeaking Suspension (JohnZ)
I understand that going rubber will fix this, I'm looking for a posible solution that doesn't require taking everithing apart. Is there a way to grease them ones they are installed??
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Westerville oh
Re: Squeaking Suspension (shft22)
Unfortunately I'm afraid you are
I put heavy duty upper A’s on mine with poly and it squeaks like crazy. Fortunately I have side pipes and usually only hear the mice when I pull into the driveway.
I found that silicone spray works as good as anything but you need to reapply it frequently.
I asked the same question to the forum about a year ago and someone wrote and said to take it apart, apply poly lube and put it back the correct way this time! I didn’t think very much of that answer either but he’s correct!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,191
Likes: 145
From: Snake handler
Re: Squeaking Suspension (RichF)
That's interesting - I too installed all poly bushings from energy suspension and I have no squeaks - in fact a local GM tech drove the car and commented on how tight and quiet it was! I did use that weird grease that came with the bushings - perhaps that's the secret.
I disagree that rubber is the way to go. These cars did not handle well when new (by today's standards). Installing poly bushings made a HUGE improvement. However, I do have some rubber bushings on my body mounts.
I disagree that rubber is the way to go. These cars did not handle well when new (by today's standards). Installing poly bushings made a HUGE improvement. However, I do have some rubber bushings on my body mounts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,456
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From: Ct.
St. Jude Donor '06-07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
Re: Squeaking Suspension (shft22)
I believe the Vette Brakes kit comes with a lubricant in a small tube called "Tef-Cone". As mentioned earlier this should be applied to any bearing surface where the poly bushings come into contact. Squeaking seems to originate especially from the sway bars. Other lubricants might work well for a while but likely won't last as long as the one designed for the poly bushings. I think you'll find that Vette Brakes gives you the same advice.
When we installed the Energy Suspension poly bushings on another car their kit also came with a special type of lubricant and it seems to work well. It is a bear though to get the excess off as regular cleaners don't work well on it. I've found the 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (#08984) works well once you've installed the part and want to clean up any excess.
Rich Lagasse
When we installed the Energy Suspension poly bushings on another car their kit also came with a special type of lubricant and it seems to work well. It is a bear though to get the excess off as regular cleaners don't work well on it. I've found the 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (#08984) works well once you've installed the part and want to clean up any excess.
Rich Lagasse
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Miami FL
Re: Squeaking Suspension (richscorvettes)
I remember the lubricant, and I did use it, but not on the sway-bars. OK, I'm going to disconnect the sway-bars and see if the squeaking stops, if it does I can lubricate its bushings.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
Re: Squeaking Suspension (shft22)
When I put urethane bushings on my '64, the instructions said NOT to lubricate them. (I don't remember who made them.) They squeeked terribly... for the first couple hundred miles. Then the squeeks gradually went away over the next couple hundred miles and now it doesn't squeek AT ALL.
Maybe if you just give it some more miles...
Maybe if you just give it some more miles...
