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creeky noises

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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:05 AM
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Default creeky noises

I bought my 95 in April and it has always had this "creeky" sound to the front end. I've greased it, tightened the lug nuts, and done the front brakes including new caliper pins to stop the brakes from rattling but when driving it, it just has this "creeky" front end. Thats the best way I can describe it. Is this just normal for the c4s or should I be concerned that there is a problem there someplace?
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 09:15 AM
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Is it constant, or just when the suspension is moving? As in, going over bumps or cornering. You could have some bushings going bad. Could also be shocks. Push down on the front of the car, get it bouncing and see if it makes any noise while parked.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 11:42 AM
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Default your right

Yes, you are right. It is mainly on rougher streets and when the car hits bumps and pot holes but very noticable,. I'll try to get it "bouncing" tonight and listen for it. Are the bushings a BIG job to change?
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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People tend to replace bushings when they are doing upgrades. Some of them will make you want to pull your hair out. You can get a front end bushing conversion kit from Willcox, Corvette Central, and a lot of other featured forum sponsors. You can probably just search Google and find a set. A Polyurethane conversion can not only reduce noise, but they last a lot longer and people even say it makes the ride better.

Unless.... your looking to do some other work... and spend some money.

They have full upgrade kits. Everything from a sport upgrade with bushings, shocks, sway bars... everything.

I've been thinking about the sport upgrade. There is also an "Extreme" upgrade... and the mother of all upgrades is the coilover kit...

There are tons of choices. Check the suspension top the bottom. The bounce test can help a lot. It's most likely a bushing or shock. Shocks aren't bad to replace.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:36 PM
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Thanks a lot. I think you've pointed me in the right direction. I already started looking at different sites for the bushing kits. Like I said, I'll start bouncing it tonight.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 03:52 PM
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Chances are good that it's your sway bar to frame bushings. Try this: spray some WD40 on both sides of each front sway bar bushing. Let it soak for a while and then go for a drive. If the creaking goes away, you've isolated the problem. Changing those particular bushings is easy. Others - no so much.
Good luck.
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 04:13 PM
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My FIAT, the stablemate to my Ruby, has delrin bushings, and creaks regularly. I spray them with WD40 and doing this, quiets them for a season. My Vete has factory bushings and is quiet as a grave.

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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 92ragtop
Chances are good that it's your sway bar to frame bushings. Try this: spray some WD40 on both sides of each front sway bar bushing. Let it soak for a while and then go for a drive. If the creaking goes away, you've isolated the problem. Changing those particular bushings is easy. Others - no so much.
Good luck.
If the creaking continues spray different sets of bushings at a time to narrow down the rest. If your PO changed over to poly bushings, they are known to creak some. If the bushings are harder than rubber they prolly are polyurethane. Get some white lithium spray lube and hit all of them. You may have to do this every so often as maintenance.

Good luck!
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 2HIP4U
My FIAT, the stablemate to my Ruby, has delrin bushings, and creaks regularly. I spray them with WD40 and doing this, quiets them for a season. My Vete has factory bushings and is quiet as a grave.

Sweet clean 124. Do you let Tony live in you guest house or does he make house calls?
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 03:34 PM
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Why?!?! I tuned my stereo down and it turns out that my rear sway bar is creaking. It looks like that sport suspension package is going in early...
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 09:54 PM
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grsee, I hadthe same thing on my 84.... mainly when I go into parking lots and over bumps.... very annoying albiet most who have ridden in the car don't hear it! At one point three weeks ago, I had the whole suspension in pieces in the garage. I installed a new Poly kit on the whole car.... i greased all the busings prior to installing them. Not sure which joints were creaking and growling...but all's quiet now!
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