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Hi all, I try to drive my C5 'Vert year round. Only when the roads are still clean and dry. I have already replaced my tires, my brakes, my shocks, my sway bars, etc. However, only in cold weather do I hear a squeaking and I think it's really only coming from the front. Could that be my bushings? The car is a '00, 110k miles, always kept in a garage, but well maintained with oil changes and lubes. Couple of questions;
1. What else could it be, especially since it only happens in cold weather?
2. Rubber, poly or what other material, if it is the bushings, would you suggest?
3. If it is not the bushings, what else should I consider looking at?
4. What kind of cost would this be, not just for the package but for installation as well?
5. Any questions that I am not asking that I should?
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Thank you!
I had a similar issue in cold weather when I drove the Vette. When I changed the wobbling HB, Tension and idler pulley's , and all belts, squeak was gone.
I had the same problem in my z06 it was the front sway bar bushings, I removed the brackets one at a time
and just greased them up a little and reinstall no more squeaking
Be careful if you order new bushings, there are 3 sizes and alot of places will advertise for a C5 but they don't necessarily specify which sways you may have. Prothane has the sizes listed on the boxes C5 Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear C5 Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear C5 Z51 (00-04): 28.6 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear .
Be careful if you order new bushings, there are 3 sizes and alot of places will advertise for a C5 but they don't necessarily specify which sways you may have. Prothane has the sizes listed on the boxes C5 Base Suspension: 23 mm-front / 19.1 mm-rear C5 Z51 (97-99): 25.4 mm-front / 21.7 mm-rear C5 Z51 (00-04): 28.6 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear C5 Z06: 30.0 mm-front / 23.6 mm-rear .
My ‘04 has 17mm rear sway bar. I’ve never seen that even listed. Before I knew this I ordered the base 19mm bushings and they were too big. Apparently there is an comfort ride size…
My advice is check your bars with a caliper before ordering.
Sway bar bushings are hard and get harder in cold weather and often need so
me lube
Its a pretty easy job, you’ll learn how to wrestle old ones off and new on with the first one. I took advice here and wrapped plumber tape around the bar and lubed it then installed the bushings. 6 months now not a squeak even in cold dry CO. GET THE RIGHT SIZE! they’re cheap like $40 for all 4. good luck.
Jan 2024 - still no squeak and handles better too!