Squeaky Shock?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29
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From: Redondo Beach California
Squeaky Shock?
Started hearing a squeaking sound in the front end. Only happens when the car is on an incline or decline....pulling in or out of the garage with an incline approach just before the garage floor. Had the car on a rack today and could not duplicate the noise in a level position. I sprayed some penetrating teflon lubricant between the A-arm bushing hoping this would help. I lowered the car and went for a drive....UGH, still squeaks on the incline/decline. I parked the car on an incline, opened the hood and duplicated the squeak, easily. It sounds like it is coming from the right front shock.....Is this possible? and is there any other way to troubleshoot the shock, beside the obvious.....remove it. If the shock is bad what do you guys recommend for replacement. 2006 c6 z51 convertible, 30,000 miles. No track racing. Street driving only.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,478
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From: Sausalito CA
The shock has rubber bushings you can lube too. So spray these also.
Check the shocks mounting bolts torque.
I guess the shock could squeak as the rod enters the body...but I'd say not likely unless the rod is bent or the shock is leaking. There may also be a rubber jounce on the shaft, yet again I do not think that would be your squeak.
Another thought, many have complained about squeaky sway bar bushings. So maybe it is not the shock but something else.
Check the shocks mounting bolts torque.
I guess the shock could squeak as the rod enters the body...but I'd say not likely unless the rod is bent or the shock is leaking. There may also be a rubber jounce on the shaft, yet again I do not think that would be your squeak.
Another thought, many have complained about squeaky sway bar bushings. So maybe it is not the shock but something else.
Last edited by Kenny94945; May 26, 2011 at 10:51 PM. Reason: pselling
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29
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From: Redondo Beach California
Thanks for responding....I had a friend tell me last night the same thing about the front sway bar. I will check that out today...The sound is like fingernails on a chalk board.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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The shock has rubber bushings you can lube too. So spray these also.
Check the shocks mounting bolts torque.
I guess the shock could squeak as the rod enters the body...but I'd say not likely unless the rod is bent or the shock is leaking. There may also be a rubber jounce on the shaft, yet again I do not think that would be your squeak.
Another thought, many have complained about squeaky sway bar bushings. So maybe it is not the shock but something else.
Check the shocks mounting bolts torque.
I guess the shock could squeak as the rod enters the body...but I'd say not likely unless the rod is bent or the shock is leaking. There may also be a rubber jounce on the shaft, yet again I do not think that would be your squeak.
Another thought, many have complained about squeaky sway bar bushings. So maybe it is not the shock but something else.
A lot of times, as Kenny suggested, the noise actually comes from the sway bar bushings. This would be an appropriate place to use a good grease for the application.
And of course, if your shocks ever do wear out, we manufacture a great OEM upgrade that is a bolt-in performance gain for the street driven Corvette! Its called the Johnny O'Connell signature shock, and if you ever want any more info please let me know. I just posted a review ion C6 Tech/Perf from a customer who came from a C6 Z51 suspension. I'll post it here if you think it is appropriate.
Either way, I hope you get that noise diagnosed, it can be super frustrating, we know!
Last edited by Pfadt Racing; May 27, 2011 at 05:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29
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From: Redondo Beach California
Thanks PFADT... What name brand of grease would you recommend? Probably available at a boating supply house? I did check the sway bar bushings. I loosened the clamp on both of them and hit it with penetrating lubricant. It seems as though the squeak might be coming from the right side end link. Could this be possible and can it be lubed? There seems to be a very small rubber boot on each end of the link.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
We've had good success with Energy Suspension Formula #5. It's super tacky and really sticks well. I know energy suspension products are carried in a few different national chains, so you may have decent luck finding it or something similar at an Autozone/O Rieleys/Kragen/NAPA.
