Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

[Leif A.]

I believe my lower control arm bushings are squeaking when cold...especially below 55 degrees. This '67 was body off frame restored 5 years/20000 miles ago. Bushings are rubber NOT poly. Everything underneath the car is tight to spec. Bushings appear to be in terrific shape. Car is a fair weather driver that never sees any moisture. The squeaking is not constant, only when cold and only when going over a hump/bump in the road. Normal highway pavement and smooth side streets...no squeak. Is it possible to lube a control arm bushing (never heard of such a thing)? What else could be causing this squeaking?? Open to any and all suggestions. I hate squeaks!!
Thanks, to all, in advance.

[Edward J.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Leif, most of the time I see the front stabilizer bar bushings make noise, I would try them first, I will use a silicone grease or dielectric grease. and remove one at a time.

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Leif, most of the time I see the front stabilizer bar bushings make noise, I would try them first, I will use a silicone grease or dielectric grease. and remove one at a time.

Thanks Edward. That would certainly be a simple solution...much more so than the lower control arm bushings. Thanks, again.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Thanks Edward. That would certainly be a simple solution...much more so than the lower control arm bushings. Thanks, again.

Leif-----

If I were going to lubricate the stabilizer bushings, I think I'd replace them at the same time. These are easy to come by and inexpensive. It could be that the ones you have were "off-spec" with respect to durometer. So, why take a chance for a few dollars. Use the silicone dielectric grease that Edward mentions for lubrication.

If the squeaking problem actually is the control arm bushings, that's going to be a bigger problem. I know of no way to lubricate them and replacement is quite a chore. In the old days, there used to be something called "rubber lubricant" that service stations would squirt on rubber chassis parts as part of a "lube job". Then, it was discovered that this lubricant actually caused the bushings to deteriorate.

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Thanks Joe. I'll pick up a set of Moog bushings and have them handy should I need them. The ones that are in there appear to be new and quite tight, but again, I'll have a spare set handy.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Thanks Joe. I'll pick up a set of Moog bushings and have them handy should I need them. The ones that are in there appear to be new and quite tight, but again, I'll have a spare set handy.

Leif-----


The GM bushings, which may or may not be the same as aftermarket, are GM #6270752. About a buck, each.

[Mark E.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

If CA bushings, inspect closely for cracking, bulging, shifting, proper installation. Front to back shifting can cause metal to metal contact.

Any evidence CA arms were damaged during installation? Some mechanics are rough during R/R.

If ok, occasional squeaking can sometimes be helped with silicone lube.

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Leif-----


The GM bushings, which may or may not be the same as aftermarket, are GM #6270752. About a buck, each.

Joe,
Is that the part number for the stabilizer bar bushing or the link bushing?

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

If CA bushings, inspect closely for cracking, bulging, shifting, proper installation. Front to back shifting can cause metal to metal contact.

Any evidence CA arms were damaged during installation? Some mechanics are rough during R/R.

If ok, occasional squeaking can sometimes be helped with silicone lube.

Mark,
Control arm bushings appear as new...no cracking, bulging or shifting. I think they're properly installed. While I'm under there changing/lubing the stabilizer bar bushing, I'll squirt some silicone between the lower control arm bushings and the cross shaft. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Joe,
Is that the part number for the stabilizer bar bushing or the link bushing?

Leif-----


Those are the stabilizer LINK bushings. The stabilzer bar bushings for your application were GM #3817573 but are discontinued.

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Leif-----


Those are the stabilizer LINK bushings. The stabilzer bar bushings for your application were GM #3817573 but are discontinued.

thanks Joe.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

thanks Joe.

Leif------


By the way, the stabilizer BAR bushings should not squeak. These are designed so that the bushing fits very tightly around the bar. There should be no relative motion between the bar and the bushing. I would not even recommend lubricating this interface----it might do harm and I can't see how it would do any good. If there is relative motion between the bar and the bushing, then you definitely need to replace the bushings with correctly configured replacements.

[Leif A.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Update!!
First, I want to thank Edward, Joe and Mark for their input. Edward, you hit the squeak source on the head. Thirty minute job to disassemble, clean, lube the interior on the bushing with dilectric grease and re-assemble...NO MORE SQUEAKS!!. Man, don't I wish all problems were solved the first time around and this easily. Joe, to your point of not lubing the bushing, I spoke to a couple of old school technicians and even looked at a couple of "How to" videos and they all recommend using dilectric grease on the interior of the bushing...thanks for your concern, however. My squeak may be exacerbated by the fact that my sway bar has been powder coated...very smooth vs the coarse, natural finish of the factory bar. I get dinged every time the car is judged because of this. Again, a big thanks to all.

[Joe L.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Update!!
First, I want to thank Edward, Joe and Mark for their input. Edward, you hit the squeak source on the head. Thirty minute job to disassemble, clean, lube the interior on the bushing with dilectric grease and re-assemble...NO MORE SQUEAKS!!. Man, don't I wish all problems were solved the first time around and this easily. Joe, to your point of not lubing the bushing, I spoke to a couple of old school technicians and even looked at a couple of "How to" videos and they all recommend using dilectric grease on the interior of the bushing...thanks for your concern, however. My squeak may be exacerbated by the fact that my sway bar has been powder coated...very smooth vs the coarse, natural finish of the factory bar. I get dinged every time the car is judged because of this. Again, a big thanks to all.

Leif------


Well, if it works, it works. I just can't figure out why. As I mentioned, there should be no relative movement between the bushing and the bar so how a squeak could occur at this interface I do not understand.

If for some reason or another, there is relative movement between the bushing and the bar, then I could understand why a squeak could develop there and why lubrication might resolve that squeak. However, if that's the case, then the bar is effectively ineffectual as a suspension component.

[Mark E.]

Re: Control Arm Bushings Squeaky??

Leif------


Well, if it works, it works. I just can't figure out why. As I mentioned, there should be no relative movement between the bushing and the bar so how a squeak could occur at this interface I do not understand.

If for some reason or another, there is relative movement between the bushing and the bar, then I could understand why a squeak could develop there and why lubrication might resolve that squeak. However, if that's the case, then the bar is effectively ineffectual as a suspension component.

Joe,

Perhaps there's just enough torsional movement to cause squeaking. Wouldn't take much.