Squeaks in Front end

[kyngfish]

Hi All,

I have some squeaks in the front end when I go over bumps. I've checked the bushings, and actually they look like they are in pretty good shape, the rubber seems soft and not dried out. Could it be the shocks? Before it was purchased, the car was driven around 20k total miles since 2007, so are there places I should be looking to just, apply some grease?

Thanks!
Martin

[DRACO A5OG]

does it go away after she is driven, if so then it is most likely the TB bushings

[kyngfish]

Actually, backwards. Sometimes it goes away when cold, and squeaks only when warm.

[aoncurly]

It is probably your front control arm bushings. They may look like they are in good condition, but they may be slightly ovaled, allowing the torsion bars to rub against the control arm. I had the same thing. The bushings looked fine - pliable. But I had squeaks over bumps when warm and it drove me nuts. After warming up your car and you hear squeaking, get out and really bounce the front end corners. Knee on the bumper with all your weight. If it squeaks, it is probably the bushings. Check your torsion bars also for gouging or wear (there will probably be a shiny area where the powder coating is worn off). You might need to replace those as well. (If you get no squeak, make sure you bounce the rear corners too, as it could be the trailing arm bushings.)

[DRACO A5OG]

Okay, raise the front end check the front wheel bearings for looseness. In fact check all suspension components. Lock steering wheel in place or have a helper hold the steering wheel as you pull and push.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

It is probably your front control arm bushings. They may look like they are in good condition, but they may be slightly ovaled, allowing the torsion bars to rub against the control arm. I had the same thing. The bushings looked fine - pliable. But I had squeaks over bumps when warm and it drove me nuts. After warming up your car and you hear squeaking, get out and really bounce the front end. Knee on the bumper with all your weight. If it squeaks, it is probably the bushings. Check your torsion bars also for gouging or wear (there will probably be a shiny area where the powder coating is worn off). You might need to replace those as well. (If you get no squeak, make sure you bounce the rear too, as it could be the trailing arm bushings.)

Yep, it's definitely the front end, and it definitely squeaks when I push down on the bumper. I'll take a harder look tonight and see what I can see. Changing those bushings is a real pain, if only for the fact that the car is out of commission for 24 hours while that silly soap dries. Worst installation instructions ever.

[aoncurly]

You might want to consider doing the entire front end, including the ball joints, camber plate bushings, sway bar bushings, and change to turbo tie rods. It's one of those, "..while I'm in there..." kind of things, and chances are your bushings are probably 20-30 years old. I also had my struts changed and a bump steer kit added at the same time. (Elephant Racing did my work, including my rear bushings and shocks, and they were great.)

[patz]

Don't forget to have it aligned.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

You might want to consider doing the entire front end, including the ball joints, camber plate bushings, sway bar bushings, and change to turbo tie rods. It's one of those, "..while I'm in there..." kind of things, and chances are your bushings are probably 20-30 years old. I also had my struts changed and a bump steer kit added at the same time. (Elephant Racing did my work, including my rear bushings and shocks, and they were great.)

Cost is really going to factor in doing all of it at once. If I can do most DIY and keep the parts under 1000, that's more likely than if I need to drop 2k.

[cgarr]

What year? could be the way bar if you have one? older were thru the body newer underneath

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by cgarr

What year? could be the way bar if you have one? older were thru the body newer underneath

1986 Carrera Coupe - I guess I need to update my Garage!

[aoncurly]

As mentioned, you'll have to align and balance as well. If you do all the work at once, you just align and balance once. It will save you in the long run, but I get trying to limit costs. Good luck.

[wayne robson]

For short term solution, metal to rubber use Lithium grease,i have a can
with the straw nylon tip that connects to the top of can nozzle,works great
on all sorts of items..then if it works on say bushes you know where the noise is
coming from.

[darrin]

Around 20 years ago I resolved a squeaking control arm bushing issue using the method described in this thread -- Front Suspension Squeak Fix(?) -- basically, my mechanic welded a bit onto the control arm cap to recenter the control arm around the torsion bar. This solved my issue and has continued to work for me after putting another 100+k miles on my '86 targa. To the best of my knowledge I'm still using my original control arm bushings and my front suspension remains tight.

It was an interesting solution at the time, as I'd read it on an early 911-related mailing list and convinced my skeptical mechanic to give it a shot . . . . FWIW --

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

As mentioned, you'll have to align and balance as well. If you do all the work at once, you just align and balance once. It will save you in the long run, but I get trying to limit costs. Good luck.

Yeah. Fair enough. I have funds set aside for repairs but I'd like to diagnose all the issues and create a priority list. I just got the car and PPI was great but I'm still sort of waiting for something catastrophic to happen before I start committing cash . I always feel like used cars get sold for a reason.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by wayne robson

For short term solution, metal to rubber use Lithium grease,i have a can
with the straw nylon tip that connects to the top of can nozzle,works great
on all sorts of items..then if it works on say bushes you know where the noise is
coming from.

Great solution to diagnose. Thank you.