your new bushing should have come w/ some sort of vasoline like lubricant. I recently changed my OEM bushings to poly and my squeaks went away. $.02 deposited 
Creaking suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
Creaking suspension
I added Addco anti-sway bars a few weeks back, and last week did about a one lowering on the stock suspension. I have a lot of creaks and groans now, mostly in the rear end. I did notice that the new urethane bushings for the rear sway bar seemed a little large for the bar, meaning there was a little space around them when I put them on. However, after they were tightened it seemed better. Any ideas? I have thought of removing the bushings and replacing them with the originals, but not really sure that is a solution.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Edinburg Texas
I would also like some idea as to what could be causing this noise. My 2004 Coupe (27k miles) also creaks both front and rear when I make slow turns into my neighborhood (looking out for the little kids). I would say it sounds as is someone in rolling around in a fold-away springs/coils bed. This noise has been going on for about a month, on and off. I was thinking it was the bushings or a need for new shocks. Sorry to leech off of you intial posting but... anyone with any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
With the Addco sway bars I did get new poly bushings....but I'll try some lube on them, maybe a shot of silicone to start. I was also wondering if lowering the car on the stock shocks could cause it. I'm planning on putting on Bilstein Sports in the near future, so will find out a little more...
Romeorn, sounds like the same problem. I only hear it during slow speeds, but then again maybe at higher speeds I cannot hear it over the road/engine/stereo noise, lol!
Ah, the mysteries and enjoyments of working on your Vette, hehe!!!
Romeorn, sounds like the same problem. I only hear it during slow speeds, but then again maybe at higher speeds I cannot hear it over the road/engine/stereo noise, lol!
Ah, the mysteries and enjoyments of working on your Vette, hehe!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
In my personal experience spraying silicone does little to help for any length of time.
Try some lube with Teflon it will work better than silicone. However, the best method is to take it apart an put a waterproof grease directly on the bushing contact area.
Actually, I live with the squeak on one of my cars (my driver) for two reasons; 1 - Don’t feel like tearing the suspension apart; and 2 – It only creaks going over speed bumps and the like at low speeds. (Can’t hear it at normal driving speeds)
Try some lube with Teflon it will work better than silicone. However, the best method is to take it apart an put a waterproof grease directly on the bushing contact area.
Actually, I live with the squeak on one of my cars (my driver) for two reasons; 1 - Don’t feel like tearing the suspension apart; and 2 – It only creaks going over speed bumps and the like at low speeds. (Can’t hear it at normal driving speeds)
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I would also like some idea as to what could be causing this noise. My 2004 Coupe (27k miles) also creaks both front and rear when I make slow turns into my neighborhood (looking out for the little kids). I would say it sounds as is someone in rolling around in a fold-away springs/coils bed. This noise has been going on for about a month, on and off. I was thinking it was the bushings or a need for new shocks. Sorry to leech off of you intial posting but... anyone with any ideas?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Down in the west Texas town of El Paso TX
I replaced the sway bar bushings, no difference.
Can you buy new shock bushings? My shocks are fine, but I think the dry climate kills bushings here.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
Think tomorrow I'll try some sort of grease lubricant....doesn't take that long to jack it up and unbolt the brackets. I'll let ya know! It's just a little annoying, but of course, turn up the tunes and you can't hear it, lol! I put a subwoofer in the back, best thing I've done...well, except for maybe the new wheels....or the vararam....or Lloyd's carpets...or the exhaust....or my stripes....LOL...it just goes on and on!!!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, Maryland
My 98 used to squeak like an ol' bed when going over speed bumps...
I removed the sway bar bushings (stock) front and rear...greased the crap out of them and re-installed. No more squeaks...all gone. I used regular automotive grease...worked like a charm.
I removed the sway bar bushings (stock) front and rear...greased the crap out of them and re-installed. No more squeaks...all gone. I used regular automotive grease...worked like a charm.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Edinburg Texas
The exact complaints you all have posted is exactly how and when I hear the most squeaking... and you are right at high speeds - not a problem... maybe I need to keep the mph high? I will try your recommendations... thanks guys!!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
It is a wee bit embarrassing, but nothing I couldn't deal with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I used urethane bushings from Eckler's, they came with a special grease.
When lubing these bushings, lube all surfaces that touch metal, including the metal bushing holder, not just the inside diameter that touches the swaybar. I would use dielectric silicone grease, but other grease may work.
When lubing these bushings, lube all surfaces that touch metal, including the metal bushing holder, not just the inside diameter that touches the swaybar. I would use dielectric silicone grease, but other grease may work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
Nice tip for lubing both the inner and outer surfaces. Tonight I'll pull the bushings and do that, then tomorrow see how it sounds. Seems like I had some noise also from the front right, but I'm going to check to make sure I lowered them all the way...the front seems alittle higher than the rear.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: san diego california
still groaning....
Well, just to update......I removed and placed grease on both the rear and front sway bar bushings, and sprayed some silicone on the new linkage connectors. Retightened all my lugs...pretty much still have some of the same sound...
I am thinking that since doing the lowering, something has not settled...or the shock is making some noise, since this all happened after I did the stock shock lowering. Mostly seems to be out of the right front area now.
I will say the ride seems a little improved, so the greasing certainly did not hurt, and may have corrected a few of the annoying noises, since the rear is quieter now. So I can't say it's fixed, just a little better.
When I get a chance to put on new shocks, I'll try to remember to let everyone know if that resolves the mystery!
I am thinking that since doing the lowering, something has not settled...or the shock is making some noise, since this all happened after I did the stock shock lowering. Mostly seems to be out of the right front area now.
I will say the ride seems a little improved, so the greasing certainly did not hurt, and may have corrected a few of the annoying noises, since the rear is quieter now. So I can't say it's fixed, just a little better.
When I get a chance to put on new shocks, I'll try to remember to let everyone know if that resolves the mystery!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 48
From: Lakeport CA
When you lower a car (any car) you have changed the normal ride position of the actually suspension attachment points. When first installed, the main bolts are tightened at NORMAL ride height. The stock suspension bushings (rubber) do not rotate around the inner bushings, they "stretch". What you need to do is mark the alignment settings, loosen the A-arm bolts and then with the car at normal ride height, retighten those bolts. That puts the stock bushings in a neutral positions, now when the suspension moves a little bit (either way up/down) the rubber can stretch. It it is already stretched from you lowering it, now when the suspension moves it is having to stretch even more, making a noise.
Nylon bushings don't work that way. The bushing actually rotates around the inner metal bushing. Which results in less deflection of the suspension during movement, better response & more predictable ride.
Nylon bushings don't work that way. The bushing actually rotates around the inner metal bushing. Which results in less deflection of the suspension during movement, better response & more predictable ride.
