squeaky! front end

[stuttgart]

hey guys.. I have a car that sounds like an old man getting out of bed in the morning...., but they say the always squeak but ,, well it is getting old i love the sound of my motor but not the urathane . any idea on what I should use to shut them up....
I read this post below and I agree with it but i want want to have them chirpping at me all the time.


What bushing do you'all recommend for the spring plate? I'm pushing the car towards the DE/auto-x direction, but I've heard good things about Neatrix rear bushings. I realize urethane bushings squeek, but would I notice a much tighter feel to the rear suspension with them, or are the Neatrix okay?




__________________

[ChrisBennet]

I had that same squeak at one point and I was advised to change my bushings. I did. The squeak was still there.
The cause I bet if you remove the torsion bars you will find that they have rust part way down the bar where it has been rubbing inside the A-arm "tube".
The rubbing occurs because the adjuster cap has worn a groove into the aluminum cross piece (looks like an I-beam) right below the cap. The cap is what keeps that end of the torsion bar centered in the tube and when it wears a groove in the cross piece it will allow that end of the torsion bar to deviate from the center of the A-arm "tube" and rub on the inside of the tube.
The solution is to remove the adjuster cap and build up the part of the cap that rubs with a small amount weld which will raise it up, recentering the bar.
-Chris
P.S.I have WeinyMeister "street hardness" bushings in front with barely any squeaks. That is, it will squeak over big bumps sometimes but not on the highway.

[Argo]

Welcome to the wonderful world of squeaky bushings. Block off a few hours and do a search here. It's probably one of the most discussed issues on this board - tons of good info to help you decide which route to take.

Argo
88 Targa

[DRACO A5OG]

Wow, two pages of squeaky front suspension complaints and no real answers but from Master Chris.

I recently developed the annoying dreaded front suspension squeak prior to that the annoying click when I came to a full stop or turned in the parking lot. Yeah, very embarrassing to sound like an old Ford Truck in a old Porsche. So I decided to take the front suspension apart (twice)

Note: I had installed the Rebel Racing Bushings 5 years ago to avoid this poop but it too failed to keep the dreaded squeak at bay.

So I swapped back to OEM Dansk Control Arms with Vulcanized Rubber Bushings: FAIL

In desperation I sprayed some chain lube around the ride height adjustment cap/screw: Success. Just a hail marry.

Success for 5 seconds then the dreaded squeak came right back along with the lovely click.

Searched the board, not a single real solution until I came across Master Chris's post then a light bulb came on

Took apart the suspension again then VOILA!


The FOUND CULPRIT

Harden Steel Cap rubbing on Aluminum Cross Member

1MM Slop due to grove created by wear you can see how much space there is next to the cap and grove

Conclusion: So this slop caused the new rubber on the control arms to compress so much and apparently the Derlin bushing as well to rub against the outer tube of the Control Arm. Squeak Squeak Squeak then as a bonus the grove at certain loads i.s. stops or slow in parking lot turns to emit the dreaded CLICK.

The Possible Fix: I am having Velios Machine Shop rebuild/fill the grove and they will leave enough meat for me to grind down to size to allow the cap to fit snug without out slop.

To test for yourself, grab the bumber and move it up and down, if it squeaks it is most likely the cap rubbing against the cross member. To confirm, remove the cap and run your finger across and you will feel a deep grove

Again Thank you Master Chris.


I was also thinking of placing brass bearing material or maybe something more solid like a piece of steal but this may require constant lubrication. Derlin plate maybe???

Originally Posted by ChrisBennet

I had that same squeak at one point and I was advised to change my bushings. I did. The squeak was still there.
The cause I bet if you remove the torsion bars you will find that they have rust part way down the bar where it has been rubbing inside the A-arm "tube".
The rubbing occurs because the adjuster cap has worn a groove into the aluminum cross piece (looks like an I-beam) right below the cap. The cap is what keeps that end of the torsion bar centered in the tube and when it wears a groove in the cross piece it will allow that end of the torsion bar to deviate from the center of the A-arm "tube" and rub on the inside of the tube.
The solution is to remove the adjuster cap and build up the part of the cap that rubs with a small amount weld which will raise it up, recentering the bar.
-Chris
P.S.I have WeinyMeister "street hardness" bushings in front with barely any squeaks. That is, it will squeak over big bumps sometimes but not on the highway.