Squeaking '66 front end

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Yes, I tried a search.

I'm trying to track down an annoying squeak in the front end (both sides) of my '66. Bouncing the car produces the sound and it feels really stiff. It's got stock T-bars and the Koni's are set to the middle of the adjustment range...1.25 turns from the stop. It's sounds like a rubber squeak sound, but there's not much rubber left in the front suspension system. The ER PB bushings are moving smoothly and the ball joints and tie rod ends are in good shape, so the only other rubber pieces left are the bump stops in the top of the Konis. I put them back together the same way they came out, which is, bottom to top, the white plastic ring, a donut shaped rubber piece, and the conical shaped rubber piece. Does that sound correct?

It squeaks with the sway bar disconnected and the shock body isn't rubbing on the tire. I looked inside the top of the strut and couldn't see any rub marks.

I'm temped to just let it go, but since the front end is jacked up, the tires are off, and I'm out of ideas, I'll put it to you guys. WTH else could be squeaking? Do shocks squeak? Would both of 'em do it?

shbop · 01-10-2008, 09:35 AM

signing-up.

304065 · 01-10-2008, 10:09 AM

Have you checked for mice?

In my experience squeaking is really metal-to-metal movement. Are the ER bronze bushings rubbing against either the aft adjuster or the front covers? Did you use Chuck's co-linear mounts for the torsion bars? Sometimes the fronts bind. . . particularly if you did the pan replacement (I seem to recall you had some pan work to do).

One thing to try is to disconnect the shock at the top and move the suspension through its range of motion, this will isolate the sound to the Torsion bar/arm or the shock tube. I suppose it could be the piston rod rubbing on something, or rubbing against the nut on the strut, but it's easy enough to drop it down to be sure.

If it's the bushings (Chuck sure makes a beautiful product, doesn't he?) perhaps spray them with some PB blaster and see if it goes away temporarily.

defcon65 · 01-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Just a guess, but since you've eliminated most of the suspension components as suspects, could it be body panels rubbing together? I'm thinking of where the fender meets the body and that rubber seal in between.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

John, the '66 rear T-bar bushing collar is different from later cars. It doesn't have a the loop that the mounting bolt goes through so I couldn't use the low-friction mounts. The PB bushings are well greased and move smoothly. I just came in from disconnecting the rear T-bar mount and there's no squeaking throughout the whole range of movement on either side...WTH?

defcon65, I checked the body panels and they're all tight. It's definitely somewhere in the suspension.

The reason I brought up the bump stop arrangement on top of the shock was I was wondering if the rubber donut piece should be there and might be binding on the rod. Maybe I'll try some Sil-Glide on the shock rod.

It's gotta be something.

Wil Ferch · 11:13 AM

If the front bushings are shot then the TB itself may end up being off-center and can rub....somewhere along it's length....against the cross-member carrier.

found this too--> So - how sure are you that your torsion bars are in good shape? (Carnage pic) .... post #5

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Will, I read that post when I searching. The PB bushings are brand new and the T-bars are greased up and in excellent condition...not even a scratch in the paint.

I'm about to just button it up and just live with it.

stlrj · 01-10-2008, 01:38 PM

Hi Rich,

Have you checked the three bolts that hold the front of the A-arms to the pan? Sometimes they break the tack welds that hold them to the pan and squeak like crazy.

Cheers,

Joe

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

Thanks Joe, I'll check that tomorrow.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

I may have found something. I have the Koni bump stops in the wrong positions. The conical shaped piece is upside down and the donut shaped one is in the wrong position. This could be it.

Rich Lambert · Rich Lambert's Garage

That was it. The bump stops were in the wrong configuration. I think the rubber donut was binding on the shock rod causing the squeaking and ultra stiffness. It's much smoother and as quiet as a mouse.

One more thing off the to-do list!

Thanks to Dave Hillman for posting the Koni diagrams on his 912 site.