Squeaks Over Bumps

[Z71Tahoe2004]

I've got a 2004 Tahoe Z71.
Bilstein shocks in front.
MOOG suspension components (heavy duty) in the front, to include sway bar bushings, upper and lower control arms, tie rods, and sway bar end links.

Problem: I'm getting a squeaking sound from what sounds like the driver's side front end (maybe the passenger side, too) whenever I drive over any bumps or uneven roads.

I'm about to go underneath an lubricate the ball joints and apply silicone to the bushings.

Wondering if anyone has any additional suggestions before I get started. Anything I might be overlooking?

Thanks!

 

[OR VietVet]

Seen some threads recently where the new sway bar links and bushings have been squeaking. When you installed the new control arms did you tighten them while on the ground or up in the air? Should be done while on the ground.

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

PNW - thanks for the insight.
I'm pretty sure the new control arms were tightened up in the air. Makes sense about doing it on the ground, because of the weight of the vic affecting the torque, etc and curb height if that matters. I can get behind the tires with the torque wrench and tighten to spec - any other thoughts.

 

[OR VietVet]

Make sure you loosen then before you tighten them. Plus, spray silicone lube on ALL the bushings.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

And, as PNW suggested, lube the anti-sway bar, where it goes through the bushings attached to the frame. Its fairly common to see that interface squeak, without some lube.

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

Thanks, Joseph. I'll definitely hit those. I usually hit them with lithium grease when I have the truck up in the air for an oil change (I've got access to a four point lift). I'll give it the silicone this time.

I've noticed that the squeaking from the suspension parts has only developed since I replaced the bushings with MOOG parts. I know there's a period with new bushings that require pretty routine attention - but these have been on for more than a year and have gotten a lube treatment a couple of times. Maybe they need it for a while longer.
Thanks!

 

[OR VietVet]

What bushings from Moog? Regular rubber or poly urethane?

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

Ron - MOOG sway bar end links are polyurethane. Sway bar bushings were rubber. Come to think of it, I think I pulled the MOOG sway bar bushings and replaced them with new AC Delcos, as they were only one size. MOOG sway bar bushings came in two sizes and wasn't sure I had the right one - so I defaulted to OE.

 

[OR VietVet]

The poly bushings are harder and therefore mat squeak more/longer than regular rubber.

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

Good tip. I'll blast them with silicone and see what happens. If it goes away, I've found the culprits. If the squeak comes back, I'm pulling them and putting the rubber ones in. Thanks Ron!

 

[OR VietVet]

Eventually, if the poly bushings are causing the noise, that noise will go away. Whenever I ever installed poly bushings I always layered on a thin film of grease on them.

 

[Lalo]

Quick question does your front suspension Creek when you get in the truck also ?

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

Lalo -
Not at the moment. I did have some creaks (different sound than "squeaks") show up right after I replaced some of the front suspension components. I had a pretty major creak when going over bumps and turning into the driveway and parking spots. I lubricated the sway bar bracket bushing and upper control arm bushings (both were newly replaced), and that did the trick with the creaking. As you've seen in this thread, the squeaking comes up from time to time, still. I lubricated the sway bar bracket bushings and the upper control arm bushings again, and that seems to have done the trick. May be something I have to do a few more times as the new bushings settle in. I use WD-40 silicone lubricant.

 

[OR VietVet]

These stories seem to indicate the need for a thin film of Vaseline or grease to be applied to the bushings before installation.

 

[exp500]

On the urethane bushings- I use silicone brake grease or their bushing installation grease, whichever I have. Seems to work long time.

 

[Byoung1330]

I was going to say pretty much what someone already covered. I replaced my entire front end too. Mostly moog an uppers were ac delco professional I had a bad squeak going over speed bumps an stuff too. It stopped when I changed my upper . But I would put it on ramps or have it on ground an loosen the lower control arms an uppers. And then tighten to spec. They need to be under load when tightening

Good tip. I'll blast them with silicone and see what happens. If it goes away, I've found the culprits. If the squeak comes back, I'm pulling them and putting the rubber ones in. Thanks Ron![/QUOT