Poly bushing squeak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: NC
Poly bushing squeak
Folks. I installed poly busings in the front suspension about 3 years ago. About 3 months later, I noticed a really annoying squeak, sounds like the right front, when going over bumps. Its now to the point, where its louder, and really aggravating
I have tried to duplicate the noise to isolate, by having someone press down/release the front bumper, but no noise
Anyone get this prob, and able to locate it? Its bad when I go over even the slightest bump going only about 10mph while cruising an event, and it squeaks.....
I have checked both front wheel bearings, just in case, as well as brake rotors/pads, and I dont beleive the prob is here. again, it only does it when I go over even the smallest bumps
No, I didnt graphite the bushings when I installed: All the front end bushings were replaced
The rear I replaced with rubber bushings, and wish I had done the same with the front
Anyone locate? If so, how did you fix?
I have tried to duplicate the noise to isolate, by having someone press down/release the front bumper, but no noise
Anyone get this prob, and able to locate it? Its bad when I go over even the slightest bump going only about 10mph while cruising an event, and it squeaks.....
I have checked both front wheel bearings, just in case, as well as brake rotors/pads, and I dont beleive the prob is here. again, it only does it when I go over even the smallest bumps
No, I didnt graphite the bushings when I installed: All the front end bushings were replaced
The rear I replaced with rubber bushings, and wish I had done the same with the front
Anyone locate? If so, how did you fix?
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Aylesbury Buckinghamshire. UK
Why is there this huge rush to swap everything to poly bushes ? Still beats me !
Poly bushes, so I have read, provide a harder ride, are more expensive than rubber and squeak without severe lashings of grease. Rubber bushings do not last a lifetime like Poly, but who cares , they are cheaper and the original rubbers lasted 25 years, so will the replacements. In 25 years there wont be any oil left, so we will not have to worry about poly or rubber bushes.
Stick with rubber, you know it makes sense !!
Poly bushes, so I have read, provide a harder ride, are more expensive than rubber and squeak without severe lashings of grease. Rubber bushings do not last a lifetime like Poly, but who cares , they are cheaper and the original rubbers lasted 25 years, so will the replacements. In 25 years there wont be any oil left, so we will not have to worry about poly or rubber bushes.
Stick with rubber, you know it makes sense !!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Poly (or, better yet, Delrin) bushings work better precisely because they are firmer. Less control arm deflection or movement means more precise handling at the limit than stock rubber bushings.
I used the lube that came with my Energy Suspension kit and have had no problems. Count me as VERY happy with the results!
Hans
I used the lube that came with my Energy Suspension kit and have had no problems. Count me as VERY happy with the results!
Hans
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: West Seneca New York
6 yrs ago I rebuilt the front and rear suspension in my '81. I used graphite impregnated polyurethane bushings from PST. No squeaks yet. Even those had to be lubed up before installing.
Yes it was more money for them, but less labor for me to install them. The ride was not any harsher than before, but it takes a curve like it's on rails. Ride is mainly affected by spring rates and the type of shocks. Also if you us a poly body mount kit, you'll feel the bumps a little more. I opted to us an OEM style rubber boby mount kit.
Sad to say, my vette is actually more comfortable on a long trip than my '03 S-10 Crew Cab. Thats my .02 cents.
Darryl
Yes it was more money for them, but less labor for me to install them. The ride was not any harsher than before, but it takes a curve like it's on rails. Ride is mainly affected by spring rates and the type of shocks. Also if you us a poly body mount kit, you'll feel the bumps a little more. I opted to us an OEM style rubber boby mount kit.
Sad to say, my vette is actually more comfortable on a long trip than my '03 S-10 Crew Cab. Thats my .02 cents.
Darryl
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Wrencher
Poly (or, better yet, Delrin) bushings work better precisely because they are firmer. Less control arm deflection or movement means more precise handling at the limit than stock rubber bushings.
Hans
Hans
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
So, which bushings exactly are we talking about Melvin,
the control arm bushings or the sway bar bushings ?
The sway bar is easy to unbolt and grease up.
The control arms aren't too bad either. By using a ball joint
press, you could undo one of the ball joints, relieve spring
pressure from the control arms and remove the control arm
bushings for greasing. A properly working poly bushing works
like a hinge, not the twisting rubber like stock. So, unless they
are totally mucked up, they should pull out easily from the outer shells.
I few drops of oil on the edge of the bushing should quiet
it down temporarily and help to detect which one is the trouble causer.
However, I would suggest greasing them all. A squeak means
the poly is rubbing and wearing, too.
Good luck.
the control arm bushings or the sway bar bushings ?
The sway bar is easy to unbolt and grease up.
The control arms aren't too bad either. By using a ball joint
press, you could undo one of the ball joints, relieve spring
pressure from the control arms and remove the control arm
bushings for greasing. A properly working poly bushing works
like a hinge, not the twisting rubber like stock. So, unless they
are totally mucked up, they should pull out easily from the outer shells.
I few drops of oil on the edge of the bushing should quiet
it down temporarily and help to detect which one is the trouble causer.
However, I would suggest greasing them all. A squeak means
the poly is rubbing and wearing, too.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by Wrencher
Poly (or, better yet, Delrin) bushings work better precisely because they are firmer. Less control arm deflection or movement means more precise handling at the limit than stock rubber bushings.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,922
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Wrencher
Poly (or, better yet, Delrin) bushings work better precisely because they are firmer. Less control arm deflection or movement means more precise handling at the limit than stock rubber bushings.
I used the lube that came with my Energy Suspension kit and have had no problems. Count me as VERY happy with the results!
Hans
I used the lube that came with my Energy Suspension kit and have had no problems. Count me as VERY happy with the results!
Hans
Anything over stock is an improvement.4 squeak-less years here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I used Energy Suspension bushings on my front sway bar with no squeaks yet. I'm in the process or rebuilding the entire rear suspension with poly bushings. Even though they are graphite impregnated, I'll still be lubing them up with grease.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
This may or may not be true, but how many people actually drive their Corvette at the limit on the street? If so, how do you find enough money to pay for the speeding and dangerous driving tickets?
Hans
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
http://performanceunlimited.com/ for Poly U bushing lube, about $12.00 + shipping. Made especially for Poly bushings.
99 Nassau blue.. w/poly + lube
99 Nassau blue.. w/poly + lube
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 947
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From: I can explain it to you, but I can't comprehend it for ya.
I installed poly bushings everywhere when I rebuilt my front and rear suspension about 3 years ago.
It squeked very badly for about 2 months then just quit on its on. Not sure why it quit. I never greased any of em. But absolutly no squeaks at all now.
It squeked very badly for about 2 months then just quit on its on. Not sure why it quit. I never greased any of em. But absolutly no squeaks at all now.
