Help With Squeaks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Hiram GA
Help With Squeaks
So, I did something yesterday that I don't think I've done before. I drove my car with the radio off to just enjoy the natural sound and the wind in my hair.
Problem was that I heard a few squeaks and noises from under the car that I never heard before. First, when turning to back out of a parking space, and then again when a took a turn kind of hard.
At full speed the car is whisper quiet, and the steering seems tight and the handling just fine. So, I am wondering, are these sounds kind of normal for a 12+ year old car? If I wanted to have my mechanic check out a few under the car suspension parts, what would I ask him to check out? Is there a front end or full car lubrication that would help and ensure that my car continues to hopefully outlive myself?
Thanks again for all your supportive answers. This emoji is so right for my car knowledge.
Problem was that I heard a few squeaks and noises from under the car that I never heard before. First, when turning to back out of a parking space, and then again when a took a turn kind of hard.
At full speed the car is whisper quiet, and the steering seems tight and the handling just fine. So, I am wondering, are these sounds kind of normal for a 12+ year old car? If I wanted to have my mechanic check out a few under the car suspension parts, what would I ask him to check out? Is there a front end or full car lubrication that would help and ensure that my car continues to hopefully outlive myself?
Thanks again for all your supportive answers. This emoji is so right for my car knowledge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
I had squeaks under similar driving conditions and found that it was the sway bar bushings. I unbolted and removed them. I then wrapped the area that the rubber bushings contacted the sway bars in yellow Teflon tape and the squeaks were gone after reinstalling and driving the car. Hope this helps.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 23
From: Newark CA
I'll second that. One easy way to locate sway bar squeaks is to disconnect the end links, then drive the car. If squeaks are gone, that's where the problem is. The end links can also make noise. They would need to be replaced. Now if someone could tell what's making the clunking noises in my suspension, I would be very happy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Hiram GA
I'll second that. One easy way to locate sway bar squeaks is to disconnect the end links, then drive the car. If squeaks are gone, that's where the problem is. The end links can also make noise. They would need to be replaced. Now if someone could tell what's making the clunking noises in my suspension, I would be very happy.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
My C5 developed a 'low speed squeak' quite some time ago. No sound at speed. Only slow, as 20 mph, or less. Even at walking speed, you could hear it.
Had it up on a rack, looking for a culprit, anything showing wear from rubbing friction, loose bolts, anything. Found nothing. My mechanic friend and I took turns walking along side the car, we both could hear it, seemingly from the front suspension, somewhere.
He finally told me, 'I hate to tell you it's the shocks, have you replace them and find the squeak still here.' But....
I'd been thinking of upgrading to new C6 Z06 shocks for a while, so I called Gene and ordered four. Fortunate timing, in that he had a good sale on them.
I put them on in my garage with the car up on jackstands a few days later, and the squeak was gone, forever!
So, it is certainly possible, I assure you, that if your shocks are worn out, that could be a source of your squeak.
PS: while seeking a source for my cars noise, I read a thread (or saw a video) of another C5 owner who found under the front leafspring, he put silicone (or some kind of) grease under the leafs, which eliminated his squeak. Think that might have been a 'Froggy' video. You can find it with a search. That wasn't my issue, but it solved his seemingly siimilar squeak.
Don
Had it up on a rack, looking for a culprit, anything showing wear from rubbing friction, loose bolts, anything. Found nothing. My mechanic friend and I took turns walking along side the car, we both could hear it, seemingly from the front suspension, somewhere.
He finally told me, 'I hate to tell you it's the shocks, have you replace them and find the squeak still here.' But....
I'd been thinking of upgrading to new C6 Z06 shocks for a while, so I called Gene and ordered four. Fortunate timing, in that he had a good sale on them.
I put them on in my garage with the car up on jackstands a few days later, and the squeak was gone, forever!
So, it is certainly possible, I assure you, that if your shocks are worn out, that could be a source of your squeak.
PS: while seeking a source for my cars noise, I read a thread (or saw a video) of another C5 owner who found under the front leafspring, he put silicone (or some kind of) grease under the leafs, which eliminated his squeak. Think that might have been a 'Froggy' video. You can find it with a search. That wasn't my issue, but it solved his seemingly siimilar squeak.
Don
