Squeeky front end

[scottyb]

My front end squeaks like.......an old Buick! I lubed up all the lube points I could find, but it still squeaks like mad. I don't want to start replacing bushings if I can avoid it. Any suggestions? Tricks?

TIA

 

[jastrckl]

One thing I heard was that the hood bumper between the windshield wipers causes that windshield squeak, and you can lube that sucker a bit to cure that. Haven't tried it yet though.

 

[blackbuick87]

Check the front swaybar, make sure there is no play. Probably the bushings by the DP are shot, they get cooked from heat

 

[Jimn8or]

Go upstairs...right beside the tape measure on your night table is the Vasoline... now grab it...
Put a little of this on the rubber 'bumper' right up near the cowl, under the hood.
Takes care of about 95% of all 'front end' squeaks.
Jim

 

[scottyb]

Thanks for the info but the hood bumper it aint. Were talking almost full suspension travel noise, from both sides. Kinda like old box spings...ummm, you know what I mean. I was gonna soak everything in wd-40, but I know that will just wash away.....

 

[jastrckl]

In that case, sounds like control arm or sway bar bushings squeaking. my bet is the passenger side upper control arm, my downpipe completely hosed my passenger side upper control arm bushing from the heat, it's not even there anymore. at all.

 

[6=8]

Here is something to try:

Get a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a small spray bottle.

Get a tube of dry powdered graphite lubricant.

Add both to the little spray bottle, mix well.

Spray all front control arm bushings well. This mix is cheap, so use liberally!

The alcohol will penetrate tight spots, taking the powdered graphite with it, then the alcohol will evaporate leaving the graphite behind. It takes longer to "Wash away" and should last longer than WD40 or equivelent.

I read this somewhere as a cure for squeeky polyurathane bushings (Which I have). It works for me.

Normally, mine starts getting really noisy after rain. What happens is a thin film of RUST forms between the bushing and the center and transfers (sticks) to the rubber/poly bushing, and the squeek is the result of metal to metal friction (Which is what jastrckl pointed out, only in that case, you no longer have a bushing, just metal to metal contact.) HTH!

 

[Vader 87]

Scott shoot me an email....