squeaking front end

[lamboman]

I took the car for a road test...all has been going well but i have a squeaking as the front suspension travels.I brought it home and greased the ball joints and it got better but today it is still there on another road test.how can i ID the cause? and is there a fix to lessen the noise until i can get parts in to fix?.I was thinking the shocks but they look replaced at the same time the lowering springs were added...by P/O.

[82DMC12]

Springs squeaking in the perches? Try spraying some silicon spray all around wherever the springs touch at the top and bottom.

[Rich]

Other thoughts on same subject are in this thread:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?2541

[lamboman]

The more i think about it the more i think it is the shocks even though they are replaced.do they squeak after leaving the car sitting for a while (a year or so)?.is there a way to grease/lube the shocks shaft? to quiet it down.

[Rich]

.... i think it is the shocks....do they squeak after leaving the car sitting for a while?...is there a way to grease/lube the shocks shaft? to quiet it down.

Very unlikely that this is the source of the noise since tube shocks are nearly always noiseless on cars of all kinds. No, there is no provision for lubing the shock shaft/mechanism.

If you need to prove it you may wish to disable or remove the shocks for troubleshooting. To see if the noise persists - test it without driving, though. Removal is covered in this post: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3597

If the noise stops then it could be the shock bushings and not the shaft. See the post linked in my previous response for other possible causes of the squeak. The front end of the D is known for this problem - and it's a 30 year old car now...

Lastly, you could take it to a suspension shop and they'll find it for you. And fix it.

[lamboman]

I think i have found the source of the creeking noise...it seems the lowering springs are rubbing at the top perch.pics to follow.I only have another couple of hours to get this fixed before dark.

[lamboman]

i used a pry bar with the tire off to move the suspension to see what was up...looks like the spring is chafing the metal part of the upper perch...should there be rubber there?what can i do to correct this.I have identified the springs as the lowering set dmch sells.

[sdg3205]

i used a pry bar with the tire off to move the suspension to see what was up...looks like the spring is chafing the metal part of the upper perch...should there be rubber there?what can i do to correct this.I have identified the springs as the lowering set dmch sells.

Yes there should be a rubber spring perch there. Not there?

[lamboman]

There is a rubber part there but not sure if it all is there.I put a piece of rubber between the upper frame and spring and it didnt help.This noise is going to drive me nuts.


Yes there should be a rubber spring perch there. Not there?

[sdg3205]

Perhaps its worn to the point where the spring isnt sitting centered, which is causing the friction. Has anyone ever tried lowering your car by heating the springs?

[lamboman]

No...there factory lowering springs.



Perhaps its worn to the point where the spring isnt sitting centered, which is causing the friction. Has anyone ever tried lowering your car by heating the springs?

[David T]

The springs move a little in the perches as the suspension goes up and down. Try spraying some silicone at it. If you want to test for noises one "trick" is to get a spray bottle and fill it with water. Squirt at different parts till the noise goes away. Then you found the source. Common sources are the shock mounts (loose or worn rubber) the spring perches, dry ball joints (lubricate with a grease gun) the roll bar mounts on the frame, and the control arm bushings. Bad shocks can make all kinds of noises, if they appear wet the oil has leaked out and they need to be changed. There is supposed to be a rubber pad in the perch to isolate the spring from the metal of the perch. It may need to be repositioned, or replaced if a chunk is missing. If your frame is very rotten in front it may be bending and that is what you hear.
David Teitelbaum

[lamboman]

I tried the water trick but the noise would not go away.i also tried the silicone on the spring perches and it did not help.my frame is perfect so not that.i still think it is the shocks as the upper and lower bushings are cracking and falling apart.

[lamboman]

is there off the shelf shocks i can buy just for the front?.anyone know part numbers?or is this dmc specific?.

[Rich]

is there off the shelf shocks i can buy just for the front?.anyone know part numbers?or is this dmc specific?.

No off-the-shelf shocks are available at your local parts store - it's DMC-specific.

And you may not need them - yet. Before you go that route have you disabled the front shocks at the bottom and tested for the noise with a stationary bounce test? The upper shock mount can stay as it is, no need to pull the springs. If noise persists with the shocks disconnected then it's not the shocks.

[lamboman]

Good thought...i will give that a try and see.


No off-the-shelf shocks are available at your local parts store - it's DMC-specific.

And you may not need them - yet. Before you go that route have you disabled the front shocks at the bottom and tested for the noise with a stationary bounce test? The upper shock mount can stay as it is, no need to pull the springs. If noise persists with the shocks disconnected then it's not the shocks.

[ramblinmike]

is there off the shelf shocks i can buy just for the front?.anyone know part numbers?or is this dmc specific?.

I think there are off-the-shelf shocks out there. Contact Marty Maier @ midstatedmc.com.

Mike