Squeaky Suspension

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 8, 2007 | 04:21 PM

j curtiss

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 129

Likes: 1

From: Houston, Texas

Squeaky Suspension

The front and rear suspension on my '99 hardtop squeaks like the dickens when I drive over small bumps at slow speeds.

I assume the root cause is the bushings on the front and rear sway bars. Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, what was the "cure"?

Thanks,

Jason

Dec 8, 2007 | 05:33 PM

9T3JIM

Pro

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 630

Likes: 0

More than likely it is the sway bar bushings, you'll have remove the brackets and the bushings and apply some silicone grease to all contact points, put back together and torque to proper specs.

Dec 9, 2007 | 02:18 PM

ISeeRed

Racer

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 260

Likes: 1

From: Chesterfield MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by j curtiss

Does it mainly do it in cold weather? My guess it is the fiberglass spring in the a-frame pockets. The end of the spring is wrapped in rubber and squeaks against the a-arms when it goes up and down. I would think something like lithium grease would be better than silicone. Silicone can cause it to ratchet more.

Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. Just follow the spring from the center into the a-arm pocket. See if you can shoot some light spray lithium grease in there and see if the sound changes or goes away.

Dec 10, 2007 | 07:23 AM

j curtiss

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 129

Likes: 1

From: Houston, Texas

Ok, so far I've removed the rubber bushings from the front sway bar, liberally coated them with a type of silicon grease and reinstalled them. So far, the front squeak seems to be gone. I haven't had time to look into the rear squeak yet.

Dec 10, 2007 | 07:55 AM

Oldvetter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 6,937

Likes: 21

From: Waldorf MD

Yep, lube all the surfaces of the swaybar bushings, including those that touch the car and the bracket, not just the swaybar. Rear swaybar uses two torques, 49 ft-lbs on bolts and 70 ft-lbs on nuts. DO NOT strip these, start by hand. Front bolts use 43 ft-lbs.

Dec 10, 2007 | 09:21 AM

JAY KOCH

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 182

Likes: 0

From: TARZANA CA

Lube the rear and you will squeak free. Did mine 2 weeks ago and it is now silent.
Before lubing the bushings mine squeaked so badly that it was embarrassing to drive.
Good luck.

Dec 10, 2007 | 11:25 AM

FASST LN

Drifting

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 1,660

Likes: 9

From: Charlotte, NC

I lubed my rear bushings with silicon spray bit that seeminly did nothing. So I sprayed it on everything I could find in the rear suspension...still no change.

This past weekend I removed the rear sway bar completely and drove. The squeak is gone, thus it is definately related to the sway bar. I'm getting new swaybars and bushings soon so I plan to leave the stock rear bar off until the new one arrives later this week.

You're right, it was emberassing to drive!

Dec 13, 2007 | 07:22 AM

j curtiss

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 129

Likes: 1

From: Houston, Texas

Update -

I used silicone grease to lube my rear sway bar bushings (I lubed the front last weekend) iand all is quiet for now.

Thanks for all the input.

Jason