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My Bushes are suddenly squeaking!
bi22le - 2/5/12 at 03:30 PM

Hi all,

Since checking the bolts are all tight recently it seems to of developed a squeak. Its coming from the rear when going over bumps, therefore during wishbone movement. I have had it up on the stands and loosened everything half a turn but its still the same. I have not removed any of the bushes. I cant pin down exactly what one, or ones it is. I have taken the wish bone off a few times and this is the first time I have had it.

I thinking of dousing the lot in 3-1 or WD40 lube and hope for the best!!

Any advice and simple solutions.

Cheers,

Biz

Daddylonglegs - 2/5/12 at 03:40 PM

What setup is it on the rear?

If it's Live axle, could it be the trailing arms?

If not then maybe try jacking the car up so the wheels droop, then use a long bar or similar to lift the wheels up and down to try and reproduce it?

Can't really think of anything else.

OK. after reading thread again, wishbones on rear so scratch the live axle thing!

Or could it be something else like the fuel tank rubbing or something?

[Edited on 2/5/12 by Daddylonglegs]

phelpsa - 2/5/12 at 04:03 PM

Loosening bolts and wd40 are two of the worst things you could do! If you loosen the bolts the crush tubes will rotate, if you spray with wd then you will wash any remaining grease out.

If one is squeaking then the others probably aren't far behind. Time to take them all apart, inspect and regrease them.

bi22le - 2/5/12 at 05:27 PM

What greasing is needed on rubber bushes?

I thought some thick grease to get them in then that's it.

se7ensport - 2/5/12 at 05:52 PM

I used graphite grease, it is worth checking that the crush tubes actually extend to the end of the bushing. I found mine were 0.5-1.5mm too short causing binding suspension and a hell of a lot of squeeking, they should be level with the end of the bush.

I fixed it by fitting shimming washers to each crush tube.

locating a supplier took me ages, but http://www.ondrives.com/bearings-ball-bearings-18-22mm-bores.html allows you to select ID, OD and thickness!

bi22le - 2/5/12 at 06:13 PM

Cheers for the link.

It seems to of stopped for now. I just tightened it right up for now.

phelpsa - 2/5/12 at 06:17 PM

Any photos of the rubber bush arrangement? Are they metalastic triumph spitfire style ones?

MakeEverything - 2/5/12 at 06:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
Cheers for the link.

It seems to of stopped for now. I just tightened it right up for now.


Cure the problem, not the symptom.

I would take them apart and use white grease. This way, youre inspecting it as you do it.

Not Anumber - 18/5/12 at 10:24 AM

I like the idea of taking them apart and regreasing as a bit of routine maintenance. Can normal grease be used or does it need to be white grease only ?

RichardK - 18/5/12 at 10:36 AM

I use red rubber grease.
don't think it's widely accepted to use normal grease.
Cheers
Rich

Bluemoon - 18/5/12 at 11:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RichardK
I use red rubber grease.
don't think it's widely accepted to use normal grease.
Cheers
Rich


Quite depends on the material of the bush.. Wrong grease and they will degrade in time (not sure of the correct grease for ploy-bushes...)

v8kid - 18/5/12 at 11:35 AM

I thought the idea with these bushes is that they should not rotate and that all the movement should be taken in the flexing of the rubber?

Surely they should be tightened so that they cannot rotate and any squeaking is either the bolt slipping or as already pointed out binding on something.

If this is correct the last thing to do is grease them!

Just my 2p worth

Cheers!

MikeRJ - 18/5/12 at 11:42 AM

quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
I thought the idea with these bushes is that they should not rotate and that all the movement should be taken in the flexing of the rubber?


That is the case with bonded "metalastic" type bushes. The polyurethane bushes used in most Locosts are not bonded and the bush is designed to rotate around the crush tube.

Personally I would use silicone grease for rubber and poly bushes as it doesn't cause these materials to degrade like mineral based greases can. Unfortunately poly-bushes are not as maintenance free as the manufacturers would like to suggest - because of the very tight fit of the crush tube in the bush, grease does get squeezed out over time and they are likely to start squeaking again when this happens. One of many reasons that I wouldn't consider using them on a tin top.

[Edited on 18/5/12 by MikeRJ]