front suspension squeaking?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by team trav, Jun 27, 2014.

  1. blugene

    blugene Senior member Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2004
    Messages:
    10,758
    Likes Received:
    73
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Marietta, OK
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT, 72 Comet GT, 2008 "Comet" (our boxer, who is now in the galaxies)
    Interesting.. Never seen those before. Still need grease on the bar.. where the movement actually takes place. :2cents::bigsmile:
     
  2. team trav

    team trav Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2014
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    4
    Location:
    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle:
    77 ford maverick 6cy
    took it to my friend who runs a suspension shop. Bounced it once and unequivocally said it was the UCA spindle/bushings. I sprayed silicone in there but it didn't do the trick. Since it's only 6 months old, I doubt they are worn. Does this call for zerk grease and a needle?
     
  3. 1973CometGT

    1973CometGT Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2012
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Orem, Utah
    Vehicle:
    1973 Mercury Comet GT
    If your UCA's were not checked and lubed prior to installing it could be them causing the squeak because they were dry. Did you install 90 degree angled zerk fittings in the center of the end caps when the UCA's were installed? There is a hole in the end of the cap for this purpose. If not, you need too. I need to routinely lube mine or to avoid any possibility of them binding up and squeaking. It's metal to metal between the nut and shaft. If you do get zerks installed, be carefully not to put a lot of pump pressure when you lube them. It will blow out the o-ring between the shaft and cap. Been there Done that:(. You could put your hand on the UCA's while someone pushes up and down on the front and see if you can feel any binding vibration on them. This may help you pin point it better. Good luck again
     
  4. team trav

    team trav Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2014
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    4
    Location:
    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle:
    77 ford maverick 6cy
    thanks for all the help, guys.
    first DORMAN UPAs are not built well and was told by a DORMAN tech at the time of assembly that these were pre-greased??? I didn't want to blow the ring so I never put any grease in them. Was also told by DORMAN that zerks were only needed after a few years and you could do this with a needle zerk???? holy moly!
    I removed the UPAs and inspected the caps and bushings. Bought some 90d zerks and greased the bushings until i saw overage on the spindle. My shock towers are too narrow so i had drill holes into my shock tower to A. clear the zerks from scraping and B. to easily access the zerks from the engine compartment.
    NO SQUEAK!!!!
     
  5. 1973CometGT

    1973CometGT Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2012
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Orem, Utah
    Vehicle:
    1973 Mercury Comet GT
    There is a grease zerk kit ( with 4 fittings ) made just for the UCA's at numerous Mustang Parts sites and AutoKrafters, They come with a close 90 degree elbow with about 1" extension and zerk end that allows them to stick out towards you that allows easier greasing. Sorry, I should have told you earlier before you cut holes in the sides of the towers but either way works (y)
     
  6. Canuck

    Canuck Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2008
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Calgary, Alberta Canada
    Vehicle:
    1973 Comet
    Sorry, not wanting to highjack the thread but I believe I have the same squeak but only when the car has been sitting and is cold. How is a squeak in the upper control arm affected by temperature? Once I leave it out in the sun for a while it quiets down. I rebuilt the entire suspension and the upper control arms are too wide for grease fittings without smashing in the shock towers.
     
  7. SpaceMav1970

    SpaceMav1970 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    10
    Location:
    Altadena Ca, 91001
    Vehicle:
    1970 Ford Maverick
    Hello all!
    This is my first post on here though these forums have been my go to aid for almost 7 years of building my '70 maverick. So big big thankya to all on here.
    To the point! I have been dealing with terrible front end squeaks for a couple years now and finally found an excuse to take the front end apart (Shelby drop) and find the cause. I concur with those who recommended greasing the UCA shaft, that adds to the squeak (one of mine was bone dry) but the real culprit in my case was the spring perch insulators/bushings. Those little rubber pads that sandwich between the spring and the perch like to make lots of noise when they're rubbing dry. I coated them top and bottom, reassembled and no squeaks! Few days later it's getting colder and they're getting talkative again. I imagine rollerized spring perches won't have this problem as bad, I'm suspicious of the rigidity/preload inherent in the stock style perches with rubber shaft bushings. Grease everything liberally! Hope this helps somebody
     
    71gold likes this.
  8. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2002
    Messages:
    26,538
    Likes Received:
    2,907
    Trophy Points:
    978
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    MACON,GA.
    Vehicle:
    '73 Grabber
    :Welcome:...:Handshake:
     

Share This Page