front suspension squeaking?

car: 77' maverick coupe 6cyl, 4.1L 250cid

I put in new seat perches, shocks(SACHS), lower and upper control arms(DORMAN)..and experiencing an annoying squeak when I drive.
Sounds like grinding metal/rusty spring.

My guess is the lower ball joint...but i stuck a needle zerk into the grease boot. it drives good for a minute but within a mile it will start again?

1. Could this be something other than a lower control arm?

2. Is this a common problem/occasional maintenance for the lower control arm?
3. Are some lowers better? self-contained, zerked, etc? Is there a reliable lower that always holds its grease?

 

Generally it's the upper control arm pivots that squeak... How long since you replaced these parts??

 

about 6 months old...

 

I removed the upper from the spindle and independently moved it up and down. Not even a tiny squeak was heard.

 

Usually it comes from the upper control arm bushings however, I chased down a phantom squeak even after I installed grease zerk fittings on the upper control arm bushings, doing the same things you have done so far, even replaced the Strut Rod bushings. Found it to be "hard as a rock" rubber sway bar bushings binding on the sway bar. Replaced both the bushings with greaseable bushings and also the sway bar end links. I used Super Lube Synthetic to grease the bushings. No more squeaking. :bananaman. Good Luck!

 

How about the lower control arm pivot bolt and bushing? Maybe it's dry..

 

73cometgt:
My specific squeak is most obvious when I push the front end down and very loud when I drive. Will the strut bushings produce that from an up/down motion?

blugene: I will grease the pivots and see what happens.

 

Another note.. When tightening suspension parts you should attempt to tighten them while the vehicle is sitting on it.. If you tighten something while it is suspended you will reduce the life of the rubber and create a binding/bounding affect. At least till the rubber gives out.

 

I too have seen the sway bar bushings do that.. I am betting it is the upper control bushings.

 

I have the same squeak. Seems like its worse in cold weather. I'll do engine work, wiring, body work, but I am like a deer in headlights when it comes to suspension/steering stuff. Wish I could have someone show me the ropes...

 

Yes the strut bushings can squeak. My car would squeak horribly when cold and I could not pinpoint where it was coming from. I had someone push down on each side of the front fenders while I was underneath checking it all. When I went over any bump or gutter entrance, the squeaking was embarrassing! Sometimes it felt like something was popping when I drove it. I finally felt the vibration in the sway bar. It lasted until the sway bar bushings warmed up from friction. That's what ended up causing the squeak and popping sound. Greaseable sway bar bushings solved it. Going on 1 year squeak free!

 

I have never seen "greaseable" sway bar bushings .. I apply the grease during assemblies..

 

Ok...some decent places to start. I'll grease all the points and go from there.
I'm used to positive attention cruising through but now I wear a disguise and a
fake moustache till I solve this>ha.

 

EnergySuspensionParts.com has the greaseable sway bar bushings. look under universal parts. They are made for various sway bar diameters. I too lubed during assembly, however, you can use a grease gun to lube them without disassembly. Convenient and simple. Super Lube grease is consistent for a big temperature range. I love the stuff. Check it out.

 

Awesome. Thanks!