Help! Suspension squeaks

[bwing]

I need help with suspension squeaks. They seem to be getting worse every week. Both front and rear ends.

It started off with just minor squeaks. I sprayed silicone lube on ALL the bushings I could find that might be the culprit. About a week after lubing the bushings the squeaks appeared to get louder. Now they're as loud as ever and it's embarrassing. I don't know if anyone can hear them from the outside.

I just lowered the car using the stock bolts but the squeaks were there before this was done.

Any suggestions on fixing this problem other than just not driving the car?

[c5y2k]

My first guess is its the bushings on the anti-roll bars as mine squeak when I roll over speed bumps. I personally have not done anything about it but others have.

If its any help I can tell you that if you can hear it squeak in-side its louder out-side. The top up, top down test verified that for me.

[bwing]

Originally Posted by c5y2k

My first guess is its the bushings on the anti-roll bars as mine squeak when I roll over speed bumps. I personally have not done anything about it but others have.

If its any help I can tell you that if you can hear it squeak in-side its louder out-side. The top up, top down test verified that for me.

Thanks c5y2k,

I'll look again at those bushings. If that's not it I don't know what it could be.

[FLIR_man]

I had the same problem and lubed the dog bone links at each end of the sway bar and that made the problem worse. I replaced them and the sway bar bushings and the noise is gone.

Thanks,
flir_man

[bwing]

Originally Posted by FLIR_man

I had the same problem and lubed the dog bone links at each end of the sway bar and that made the problem worse. I replaced them and the sway bar bushings and the noise is gone.

Thanks,
flir_man

Thanks, it looks like I'll be replacing mine also because it's gotten worse since I lubed them.

[gmjunkie]

Originally Posted by bwing

Thanks, it looks like I'll be replacing mine also because it's gotten worse since I lubed them.

What did you use to lube them??

[bwing]

Originally Posted by gmjunkie

What did you use to lube them??

I used an aerosol can of "dry" graphite.

[gmjunkie]

Originally Posted by bwing

I used an aerosol can of "dry" graphite.

Won't work!! Been There,Done That!! I took the 2 centers out(4 bolts and the bar will drop down) and spread the thick rubber bushings open and took a dremmel and cut 6 very small slits about 1/2 inch long and 1/32 deep in the middle of the bushing crosswise not to the edge around the bushing,this made a small place that would hold Molly wheel bearing grease!! Put it back together and it's been fine for 18,000 miles!!! Chevrolet replaced them twice before under warranty and they started squeaking within 3,000 miles!!Spray lube cant penetrate to the inside and they are very tight so they squeak!!When or if they start again,I'll pull it down and grease it again, it will take about 10 min.!!! I've done this to several of my customers cars and so far No Complaints!! PS I do this to the rear too!!

[bwing]

Originally Posted by gmjunkie

Won't work!! Been There,Done That!! I took the 2 centers out(4 bolts and the bar will drop down) and spread the thick rubber bushings open and took a dremmel and cut 6 very small slits about 1/2 inch long and 1/32 deep in the middle of the bushing crosswise not to the edge around the bushing,this made a small place that would hold Molly wheel bearing grease!! Put it back together and it's been fine for 18,000 miles!!! Chevrolet replaced them once before under warranty and they started squeaking within 3,000 miles!!Spray lube cant penetrate to the inside and they are very tight so they squeak!!When or if they start again,I'll pull it down and grease it again, it will take about 10 min.!!! I've done this to several of my customers cars and so far No Complaints!! PS I do this to the rear too!!

Thanks gm, that's sounds like a good fix. I'll give it another try tomorrow and let you know how it works. As much as I love working on my car I've got to divide time to include the wife.

[bwing]

Originally Posted by gmjunkie

Won't work!! Been There,Done That!! I took the 2 centers out(4 bolts and the bar will drop down) and spread the thick rubber bushings open and took a dremmel and cut 6 very small slits about 1/2 inch long and 1/32 deep in the middle of the bushing crosswise not to the edge around the bushing,this made a small place that would hold Molly wheel bearing grease!! Put it back together and it's been fine for 18,000 miles!!! Chevrolet replaced them once before under warranty and they started squeaking within 3,000 miles!!Spray lube cant penetrate to the inside and they are very tight so they squeak!!When or if they start again,I'll pull it down and grease it again, it will take about 10 min.!!! I've done this to several of my customers cars and so far No Complaints!! PS I do this to the rear too!!

gmjunkie,

Thanks alot for the advice. I undid the 4 bolts for the front and rear sway bars and checked the bushings. They weren't brittle or cracked so I cleaned them up and cut slits with my Dremel, applied grease and the squeaks are gone! Really good advice, thanks again.............Brian

[gmjunkie]

Originally Posted by bwing

gmjunkie,

Thanks alot for the advice. I undid the 4 bolts for the front and rear sway bars and checked the bushings. They weren't brittle or cracked so I cleaned them up and cut slits with my Dremel, applied grease and the squeaks are gone! Really good advice, thanks again.............Brian

Now send me your billing address!!!! Glad to help!!

[bwing]

Originally Posted by gmjunkie

Now send me your billing address!!!! Glad to help!!

I'll send my billing address to you along with a check. Watch your mailbox for it.