What all did you end up replacing?
squeaky rear suspension
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
A common trick is to apply cheap DOT 3 brake fluid to all the rubber bushings as brake fluid conditions rubber parts. I've had this problem in the past on several F-Bodies and the fluid took care of all the squeaking. Just jack up the car; put newspaper under all the bushings; get a small water sprayer; and lightly spray all the rubber suspension parts making sure. Do not spray around the brake rotors without some type of masking device (e.g., card board, etc.).
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lawton OK
I've had the same problem in my '99 vette. It is an annoying mouse like squeak. Sometimes I can drive for a few miles and no squeaking but then it will start up again. I have read the many posts and have followed the advice about the stabilizer bar bushings/ends but still have the squeak. The original stabilizer bar ends are made of some kind of plastic and the OEM replacements from the dealer are aluminum. As the parts guy (Rueben at Rudolph Chev. in El Paso, TX) said, they have alot of the ends in stock but would have to order the sway bar bushings. That led me to believe they probably replace the ends more often than bushings and keep plenty on hand. I've I did read a post about dirt or corrosion around the shock absorber bushing where it mounts to the rear chassis. I just installed new Bilstein Sport shocks about 500 miles ago and am sure I have rubber to metal on both sides of the mount through the mount point through the chassis. I'm going to put some silicone grease in there anyway and see if that cures the problem - if it does I'll post again; if not, anyone got any further ideas? This site is awesome for all the DIYs, advice, and participating vendors.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
I think silicone is the better solution when installing new parts, but unless you intend on disassembling everything, silicone most likely won't penetrate the area that's squeaking. Spray silicone will be a temporary surface treatment at best as it evaporates too quickly.
Again, brake fluid has rubber conditioning properties as well and will get into the nooks and crannies that are undoubtedly squeaking as past experience has shown me. The downside is it's corrosive properties on painted surfaces. My two cents.....
Again, brake fluid has rubber conditioning properties as well and will get into the nooks and crannies that are undoubtedly squeaking as past experience has shown me. The downside is it's corrosive properties on painted surfaces. My two cents.....
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lawton OK
Yeah Bowtie_Brigade, I agree. For some reason I did not see your post until after I posted mine. Probably because I was at the bottom of page 1 reading when I replied and yuors was at the top of the next page. I'll give your solution a try. If that doesn't fix it I'll use the "turn the radio up" solution I read on another squeaky post! Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 176
Likes: 2
From: Abilene Texas
Just upgraded front and rear sway bars with c6 z51s and metal end links last weekend that I bought used from a forum member. I had a very obvious crunch or squeak noise in the rear end before the upgrade. Noticed when we pulled the stock sways and end links off the car that the rubber end link bushings on the rear sway bar was deteriorated. After the upgrade, I have no more crunch or squeak noises coming from the rear end. I assume it was the deteriorated end link bushings that were causing the noise.
Last edited by nassaubluecoupe; Oct 16, 2009 at 10:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: FL
Cruise-In II Veteran
well that was easy to replace... 
I took pictures of the old ones if anyone want to see and man they were shot.
I will test drive the car later to see if that resolved it.
I took pictures of the old ones if anyone want to see and man they were shot.
I will test drive the car later to see if that resolved it.
Last edited by CJ454; Oct 16, 2009 at 09:29 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lawton OK
Squeak gone...Put the DOT 3 brake fluid on the shock, control arm bushings and the leaf spring(I think?) bushing and no more squeak. Got sick of jacking it up, jack standing it, and taking the wheel off to do one part at a time so I hit 'em all like a scattergun effect. The downside is I'm not sure which part was the cause of the squeak. Thanks for the suggestion Bowtie_Brigade.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: FL
Cruise-In II Veteran
you talking about the a-arm mounts? From what i see there are 2 bushings there. I did spray some lube on them to see if the quited things down but it did not seem to help.
looks like a lot of work to take those out and soak or replace them.
looks like a lot of work to take those out and soak or replace them.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: FL
Cruise-In II Veteran
well i got under the car yesterday before it got dark.. gesh it gets dark early now...
I sprayed as many of the bushing as i could see. let it soak for a few days and then ill spay them again.
I sprayed as many of the bushing as i could see. let it soak for a few days and then ill spay them again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: FL
Cruise-In II Veteran
so i did the brake fluid on the bushings. I soaked everything and let it sit for 2 weeks (no need to drive it) and then soaked it off and on and it seems to have helped. I may do it again as I still have a few squeaks but may be I missed a bushing
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
help..
So..did you ever figure it out? I have an annoying squeak from lassenher side rear. Tried white lithium grease on bushings but no luck.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Spraying anything onto the sway bar bushings accomplishes little that is useful. Take the mounting brackets off, take the bushings off the bar, clean the bar surfaces where the bushings ride then grease inside the bushing and re-install.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
I'm not sure it's the sway bar bushing. I removed it and wrapped the bar with Teflon tape as others suggested but still...
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Lawton OK
Hey Sam - I solved this on my '99 - it was the bushings on the rear shock mounts where the shaft goes up into the wheelwell - accessed through the hatch?....don't know if you looked at these or tried lubing these yet or not but if memory serves me correctly, they were a little cockeyed - might be worth a check.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
Hey Sam - I solved this on my '99 - it was the bushings on the rear shock mounts where the shaft goes up into the wheelwell - accessed through the hatch?....don't know if you looked at these or tried lubing these yet or not but if memory serves me correctly, they were a little cockeyed - might be worth a check.