squeeky front end - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

76bonanza · 10-07-2005, 09:36 AM

My front end is squeeky as hell like when i am going slow and hit a bump. Is this just from poor quality rubber busshings and such?

Putter · 10-07-2005, 09:47 AM

It could be worse. You could have a squeeky rear-end....and in prision, that's a mating call. (sorry, I couldn't help myself!)

67ChevyRedneck · 10-07-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Putter

It could be worse. You could have a squeeky rear-end....and in prision, that's a mating call. (sorry, I couldn't help myself!)

You crack me up putter

Have you tried greasing all of the ball joints/tie rods/ect? Rebuilt the front end in my 67 and put fresh grease in everything, completely squeak free. IIRC your supposed to grease every 15K or so, but hardly anyone ever does it

Edit: could also be old worn out rubber bushing like you said. Not sure which kind of "squeaK" you mean. I guess ball joints and such would be more of a squeal

76bonanza · 10-07-2005, 10:13 AM

Like if you push up and down on bumper.

PanelDeland · 10-07-2005, 10:49 AM

Could be a shock.Also did you put the rubbers in when you lowered it?

76bonanza · 10-07-2005, 10:52 AM

Is the rubbers a joke or not not sure as it was lowered when I got it. what rubbers are you reffering to?

thecatseye66 · 10-07-2005, 12:19 PM

Could be where the shock mounts. That early design sucks...If you watch the ends of your shocks while someone else pushes the bumper up and down you'll see what I mean.

The stock mounting holes for the bolts that hold the shocks in place can get elongated and the bolts will move inside the holes and make it squeak as the metal-on-metal grinds away. That "looseness" also puts puts a lot of wear and tear on the rubber bushings those bolts go through on the shock and breaks them down. What's worse is the shock never gets a chance to cushion the ride 'cause the play at the mounts gets worse over time.

I replaced the rubber bushings in my new shocks with poly bushings and used a stud-type shock mount to secure the shocks in place. It took care of the squeaks and the ride is really nice too. Go to any napa with your old shocks and they can hook you up...

**Stocker** · 10-07-2005, 07:07 PM

Another thought - check for loose bolts on the front bodywork. My squeak was a loose inner fender bolt - drove me nuts for a while...

Aquivarious · 10-07-2005, 07:39 PM

Id say grease your whole front end... had an 85 that did exactly that with old bushing, greased it up at my buddys lube shop (wow, a sick mind gives this reply a whole new meaning) and once the grease worked into the joints it didnt squeak a bit.

Anyway, greasing the front end is a lot cheaper and easier than replacing things so do the cheapest thing first and work your way up.

*72CSTC5* · 10-08-2005, 12:38 AM

Check your upper control arm bushing and make sure that they are not dry rotted and protruding out from the shafts or the shaft no longer sits in the middle of the bushings.

70c10swb · 10-08-2005, 01:03 AM

have someone push up and down on the bumper and spray some WD-40 on the bushings untill the squeek goes away then you found your squeek. Id bet its the shocks

ChevLoRay · 10-08-2005, 07:35 AM

Any time you hear noises, you have wear going on. What it is that is making the noise, is the question. All of the suggestions that you've read are good.

Back in "the day" we used some stuff called Ruglyde, from Esso that we'd spray on rubber bushings in front ends when we'd do a lube job. Same stuff was used when mounting tires. (Boy, the innuendoes just keep coming, don't they?). Anyway, the point is that rubber bushings dry out, and some lubricants will attack the rubber compounds and cause them to deteriorate. WD-40 is good stuff, but attacks plastics...so, be careful what you spray it on.

But, I'd be seriously looking at ball joints, control arm bushings and shafts, and the steering stabilizer link bushings, as well as their mount bushings. Shock mount bushings ususally just wear out and mushroom, eventually leaving the metal shaft to rub and bang in the holes (there we go again). I seem to recall that torsion-bar front ends did a bit of squeaking, moreso than non-torsion suspensions. But, I'm old school, so what does it matter, now?

Don't ignore the noises....the vehicle is trying to tell you there is a problem. How big it is, is a guess from where we sit.

10-07-2005, 09:36 AM	#1
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	squeeky front end My front end is squeeky as hell like when i am going slow and hit a bump. Is this just from poor quality rubber busshings and such? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO Last edited by 76bonanza; 10-07-2005 at 09:36 AM.

10-07-2005, 09:47 AM	#2
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	It could be worse. You could have a squeeky rear-end....and in prision, that's a mating call. (sorry, I couldn't help myself!) __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

10-07-2005, 10:13 AM	#4
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Like if you push up and down on bumper. __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

10-07-2005, 10:49 AM	#5
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Could be a shock.Also did you put the rubbers in when you lowered it? __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-07-2005, 10:52 AM	#6
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Is the rubbers a joke or not not sure as it was lowered when I got it. what rubbers are you reffering to? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

10-07-2005, 12:19 PM	#7
thecatseye66 '68 C-20 396 CST CC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 454	Could be where the shock mounts. That early design sucks...If you watch the ends of your shocks while someone else pushes the bumper up and down you'll see what I mean. The stock mounting holes for the bolts that hold the shocks in place can get elongated and the bolts will move inside the holes and make it squeak as the metal-on-metal grinds away. That "looseness" also puts puts a lot of wear and tear on the rubber bushings those bolts go through on the shock and breaks them down. What's worse is the shock never gets a chance to cushion the ride 'cause the play at the mounts gets worse over time. I replaced the rubber bushings in my new shocks with poly bushings and used a stud-type shock mount to secure the shocks in place. It took care of the squeaks and the ride is really nice too. Go to any napa with your old shocks and they can hook you up... __________________ 68 C-20 396/TH400 CST Custom Camper NOW W/DISC BRAKES 01 Jetta Turbo Daily Driver 84 Yamaha Virago 700 - Alaska to Florida Via Maine & Mexico

10-07-2005, 07:07 PM	#8
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,694	Another thought - check for loose bolts on the front bodywork. My squeak was a loose inner fender bolt - drove me nuts for a while... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

10-07-2005, 07:39 PM	#9
Aquivarious Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alton, Illinois Posts: 90	Id say grease your whole front end... had an 85 that did exactly that with old bushing, greased it up at my buddys lube shop (wow, a sick mind gives this reply a whole new meaning) and once the grease worked into the joints it didnt squeak a bit. Anyway, greasing the front end is a lot cheaper and easier than replacing things so do the cheapest thing first and work your way up. __________________ '71 Chevy C-10 SWB (Project) '04 Mazda RX-8 (F*** around Car) '85 Chevy C-20 (Former Project) Currently Serving In IRAQ. (Man it sucks over here..)

10-08-2005, 12:38 AM	#10
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Check your upper control arm bushing and make sure that they are not dry rotted and protruding out from the shafts or the shaft no longer sits in the middle of the bushings.

10-08-2005, 01:03 AM	#11
70c10swb no brain no headache Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 567	have someone push up and down on the bumper and spray some WD-40 on the bushings untill the squeek goes away then you found your squeek. Id bet its the shocks __________________ 1996 GMC Sierra z71 1970 SWB 2wd (project)

10-08-2005, 07:35 AM	#12
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Any time you hear noises, you have wear going on. What it is that is making the noise, is the question. All of the suggestions that you've read are good. Back in "the day" we used some stuff called Ruglyde, from Esso that we'd spray on rubber bushings in front ends when we'd do a lube job. Same stuff was used when mounting tires. (Boy, the innuendoes just keep coming, don't they?). Anyway, the point is that rubber bushings dry out, and some lubricants will attack the rubber compounds and cause them to deteriorate. WD-40 is good stuff, but attacks plastics...so, be careful what you spray it on. But, I'd be seriously looking at ball joints, control arm bushings and shafts, and the steering stabilizer link bushings, as well as their mount bushings. Shock mount bushings ususally just wear out and mushroom, eventually leaving the metal shaft to rub and bang in the holes (there we go again). I seem to recall that torsion-bar front ends did a bit of squeaking, moreso than non-torsion suspensions. But, I'm old school, so what does it matter, now? Don't ignore the noises....the vehicle is trying to tell you there is a problem. How big it is, is a guess from where we sit. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

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