Suspension squeaking with other side effects

[burch]

Hello All -

In the process of troubleshooting some squeakiness in the front passenger-side suspension, just looking for a sanity check :)

I replaced all 4 shocks with Spax about 3 months ago. So far, so good on that, and other than that change, nothing new suspension-wise.

A couple of days ago, I noticed a squeak in the front end, specifically at parking-lot speeds, and specifically when turning right. I was already preparing to replace my worn sway bar bushings (clamp and end bushings), which per many other threads here, cause a lot of squeaking when worn.

The other interesting bit here is the passenger front wheel itself. When I attempted to remove it to check the suspension, after removing the lugs, the wheel was frozen on the hub. Took quite a bit of pounding to get it off (yes, I believe that's what she said). Saw no play in the ball joints when examining it. Put some lubricant on the sway bar end bushings, reinstalled the wheel (torqued to spec), and drove about a mile and a half. Still a bunch of squeaking, and the wheel was frozen to the hub again.

The squeaking itself to me is likely one of the following:

1. Sway bar bushings
2. Lower ball joint
3. Potentially right tie-rod end?

What's concerning is the wheel freezing on the hub. This hasn't happened before, so I don't know if that is indicative of a deeper misalignment issue? Obviously a ball-joint failure would be bad, but with no play in the wheel when tugging, it doesn't seem that it is close to failure.

Thoughts from the group?

[Morpheus]

How old are your wheel bearings up front? They have been known to squeak when failing...

http://store.delorean.com/p-7271-bearing-front-wheel.aspx

[burch]

How old are your wheel bearings up front? They have been known to squeak when failing...

http://store.delorean.com/p-7271-bearing-front-wheel.aspx

I've never replaced them, but I've only owned 6631 for about 2 years. Unsure if P.O. replaced, so can only assume that they are original. Would the squeaking be more pronounced during turns? Seems like it could be, but I'm not sure how the pressures on the bearings change with turning force applied.

[David T]

I've never replaced them, but I've only owned 6631 for about 2 years. Unsure if P.O. replaced, so can only assume that they are original. Would the squeaking be more pronounced during turns? Seems like it could be, but I'm not sure how the pressures on the bearings change with turning force applied.

Are you torquing the lug nuts to the correct spec? Examine the rim where the lug nuts attach for any signs of wear. Use silicone spray to lube the bushings and grease the upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends. Spray the universal joints on the steering shaft with WD-40 and silicone the steering column bushing.

[burch]

Are you torquing the lug nuts to the correct spec? Examine the rim where the lug nuts attach for any signs of wear. Use silicone spray to lube the bushings and grease the upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends. Spray the universal joints on the steering shaft with WD-40 and silicone the steering column bushing.

Yes. Torquing to 60 ft/lbs on the lug nuts. I've done the silicone spray on the bushings, and picking up a grease gun today to do the joints and ends. Need to get over toward the steering column still. Thanks!

[David T]

Yes. Torquing to 60 ft/lbs on the lug nuts. I've done the silicone spray on the bushings, and picking up a grease gun today to do the joints and ends. Need to get over toward the steering column still. Thanks!

If you don't have grease fittings in the ball joints, you can drill, tap, and install them. For the tie rod ends I use a needle under the dust cover. When doing a front end service don't forget to lube the angle drive. To find a squeak, one trick is to fill a spray bottle with water and hit each joint, one at a time, and see if the squeak goes away tlll you find the one making the noise.

[burch]

Based on the rotation of the hub on the passenger side vs. the driver side, I believe the bearing is the root cause of this issue. I've got a new one coming this week. I'll also tackle the lubrication points since the car is already in flying mode :)