Squeaky Rear Suspension - quick fix or hard?

[DL4567]

Hi guys,

My rear suspension is making a very annoying squeaking sound that seems to be getting worse. The springs are new Eibachs from 2004, and the shocks are new from 2007. Would anyone happen to know if this is definitely a dry rubber issue, or could shocks make this noise? I'm imagining it's unlikely the shocks are bad since both sides are doing the same thing.

When you drive at slow speeds, it makes the noise continuously and it sounds like a bunch of mice going crazy, but at speed you don't hear it. I made a quick video so you can hear the sound. It's easy to replicate sitting still and very slightly pushing on any part of the back of the car. Can I get away with spraying some lube on all the rubber at the top of the spring, or do things need to be disassembled and lubed? (ugh, hopefully not!)

http://youtu.be/WBQVEsUUpv8

[ALEXAKOS]

Bushings squeaking. If not poly ones try spraying those with some lube and see if it stops.. Or simply replace hem. Not very expensive ($17 each, needs 6 for both sides). Unless i is the radius arm bushing. A bit more expensive but same amount of work.

Best you get it to a shop where you can lift it up and see where it comes from.

[Michael]

It could literally be anything that moves back there. The only way to diagnose it is to get under it and have a friend start bouncing and pulling on it, or you may even have to it put it up on a lift and start prying with a bar.

One method is to drown every bushing in penetrating oil and hope you get lucky, which may work, but just be careful the lubricant you use is safe for rubber. It may stop it short term, but cause the rubber to degrade prematurely.

I once had a squeak just like you are describing. Cold weather seems to bring out the squeakys. It was the most annoying.thing, and I could not find it! I knew it was the around coil, but could not get it to stop. Turned out it was the upper coil pad, and no amount of penetrating oil would reach it. Had to remove the rear shock and replace the upper pad.

Squeaks and rattles are one of those things that I just can't stand! It sucks all the fun out of driving.

[Brisfx]

I have the Eibach suspension installed as well and one of the rubber bushes on the top of the shock had collapsed, you may want to check them

[David T]

It could literally be anything that moves back there. The only way to diagnose it is to get under it and have a friend start bouncing and pulling on it, or you may even have to it put it up on a lift and start prying with a bar.

One method is to drown every bushing in penetrating oil and hope you get lucky, which may work, but just be careful the lubricant you use is safe for rubber. It may stop it short term, but cause the rubber to degrade prematurely.

I once had a squeak just like you are describing. Cold weather seems to bring out the squeakys. It was the most annoying.thing, and I could not find it! I knew it was the around coil, but could not get it to stop. Turned out it was the upper coil pad, and no amount of penetrating oil would reach it. Had to remove the rear shock and replace the upper pad.

Squeaks and rattles are one of those things that I just can't stand! It sucks all the fun out of driving.

Do NOT spray oil on the bushings! Get a spray bottle and fill it with water. When you hit the right spot you will know it. Then you can hit it with spray silicone. Noises are sneaky. You may think you hear it from the back but it is really something in the front or vice-versa. Start with the shocks and their mounts. Next is the spring perches and then bushings.

[DL4567]

Thanks for the responses. I'm 99.9% certain it's coming from the top of the rear springs/shocks. I'll lift the car up and try spraying water and/or silicone lube all over the shock bushings and spring pad. Only trouble is, isn't it impossible to "bounce" the suspension once the car is up in the air? Seems like it'd make the sound hard to pinpoint....

[DL4567]

Update: Job Complete!

I put the car up on the lift, removed the nuts at the top of the shocks, and greased the top and bottom of both sets of upper shock bushings. Put it all back together, lowered the car, gave it a bounce and.... success!!!! Completely silent now. Sooo glad I don't have to remove the springs to lube and/or replace the upper spring pads.

http://imageshack.us/a/img843/9741/wafj.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/8303/ky6x.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img62/8691/p23w.jpg

[David T]

Gee! That car is REALLY clean! You tighten the top shock mount until you see the rubber bushings start to bulge a little. A shot of spray silicone can't hurt. make sure the shock shaft is centered in the hole and not rubbing the metal frame.

[DL4567]

Gee! That car is REALLY clean! You tighten the top shock mount until you see the rubber bushings start to bulge a little. A shot of spray silicone can't hurt. make sure the shock shaft is centered in the hole and not rubbing the metal frame.

Thanks! It didn't look quite like that when I started the job though. I made it all purdy for the pictures after I was done! :)