Shock tower squeaking
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas NV
Shock tower squeaking
Hello, I put on Bilstein Sports on my 99 a few months ago and noticed shortly afterwards that I had a bad squeaking sound coming from the back right of the car. It turned out to be caused by where the shock rod goes through the upper mounting plate. The bushings distorted slightly and moved position, allowing the shock rod to rub against the mounting plate. I tore everything apart and made sure to have it all lined up, lubed, and tightened properly but after a few months of driving the squeak is back. I know some of you will say it is the sway bar bushings, but it isn't.
Has anyone else had this problem? I was looking into getting these, http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=903 their design seems to eliminate the possibility of the bushings moving around. Any thoughts or experience with these? Thanks.
Has anyone else had this problem? I was looking into getting these, http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=903 their design seems to eliminate the possibility of the bushings moving around. Any thoughts or experience with these? Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas NV
Sorry no pictures. On either side of the rear upper shock mount there is a bushing and a metal washer thingy, then on the top of the shock rod there is a nut to hold it all together.
When I tighten the nut down, the bushings should stay in place and squish out evenly.
But, instead they squish out unevenly(one side or the other) causing the whole assembly to be misaligned.
When I tighten the nut down, the bushings should stay in place and squish out evenly.
But, instead they squish out unevenly(one side or the other) causing the whole assembly to be misaligned.
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Harbinger North Carolina
The bushings that are on top and the one on bottom of the shock mount have a slight indention on them to keep them from sliding on the washers. Just put the indention into the mounts. Just like the bushings you took off the old shocks.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas NV
Should I use the metal washers from the stock shocks, instead of the ones that came with the Bilsteins? The Bilstein washers are on there right now.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas NV
The bushings have the raised area in the mounting block, the Bilstein washers are facing the right way(concave area against the bushing). I lubed them lightly with some heavy duty grease my Dad had, very thick stuff and won't wash away. Didn't over grease.
When I first put the shocks on I let the A arms hang after I jacked up the car and installed the shocks in this position and tightened the bolts up. The second time, I lowered the car with the A arms on a block of wood and tightened the bolts in this position. This way everything is in the normal driving position. Same problem after both installs.
I think I will just get these and be done with it. http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=903
When I first put the shocks on I let the A arms hang after I jacked up the car and installed the shocks in this position and tightened the bolts up. The second time, I lowered the car with the A arms on a block of wood and tightened the bolts in this position. This way everything is in the normal driving position. Same problem after both installs.
I think I will just get these and be done with it. http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=903
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 333
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento California
Hello Kingrobby25, I was searching the website and came across your thread. I'm having the same problems with my Bilstein Sports that I installed last summer, did you ever fix the problem? Your link to VBP doesn't work, but I'm assuming you were talking about buying VBP's shock bushing kit, here's a link, http://www.vbandp.com/C5-Corvettes/S...-4-wheels.html. Did you buy the bushing kit and did it work?
thanks
thanks
