Front coil spring noise on a 65

[John C.]

Hi guys, anybody know if there is any kind of a cushion (rubber) located at the base of the coil springs. I finally got the M/C rebuilt and back on the car (working great) and took it out for a test drive. I noticed a squeaking type noise around the front end while driving. After I got back, I had someone (the lovely wife) push the front end up and down while I listened with the old long screwdriver trick to the ear and I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the coil spring. Any suggestions???
JC

[Michael G.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

JC,

I would very surprised if the noise was coming from the coil spring....not that it couldn't, just surprised. If I were guessing would say a squeaky upper or lower control arm bushing would be the culprit.

[Peter J.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

I'm with Mike on this one. You might have poly a A-arm bushings.

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

I'm with Mike on this one. You might have poly a A-arm bushings.

I agree with you, I would be surprised too. I climbed under the car to try and find it. These kind of things are difficult to pinpoint. I actuall put my hands on each component of the front end while the car was being pushed up and down, making the noise. I could actually feel the vibration on the spring. I realize this doesn't actually mean the spring is the culprit, but it sure raises doubt. Is there a preferred lubricant for all the rubber components; i.e, the a-arm rubber, sway bar, etc ?
JC

[Edward J.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

John, Was the front suspension taken apart? I have seen the front coil springs that are not seated properly, They can rub against the frame recess area,Where the spring goes into the upper frame ,spring seating can be tough to position properly sometimes.

[Dan M.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

I had poly bushings in my 68 A-arms. Couldn't stand them due to the squeak and I removed/replaced them. I know they say that properly installed, they are not supposed to be squeakers but in my experience, they were awful.

[Michael G.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

Is there a preferred lubricant for all the rubber components; i.e, the a-arm rubber, sway bar, etc ?
JC

This should be fairly simple to narrow down. Take any spray lubricant (w/sprayer tube attached which aids in controlling where lub goes) spray in and around where spring has contact with upper and lower arms. Give the car a few up and down shoves.....what happens? Doesn't squeak any more........your a hero .....continues to squeak, your still lookin' . I would be looking at the bushings in the control arms at that point.

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

John, Was the front suspension taken apart? I have seen the front coil springs that are not seated properly, They can rub against the frame recess area,Where the spring goes into the upper frame ,spring seating can be tough to position properly sometimes.

I'm not sure, but it doesn't look like the front end has been apart. In other words, I can't see where there would have been a reason since the control arm rubber appears to be original I sprayed everything I get close enough to. When listened to, the noise appears to be coming from the spring. I can feel the vibration in the spring while pushing the car up and down; no vibration on the passenger side. The noise even sound like a spring noise. I've got one more trick up my sleeve to try and get some spray lube to the upper most point at which the spring sits. A long small diameter piece of tubimg attached to a coat hanger to enable me to reach the top of the spring and then spray it. If this doesn't work I may just have to remove the lower arm and pull the spring.
jc

[D S.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

Hi guys, anybody know if there is any kind of a cushion (rubber) located at the base of the coil springs. I finally got the M/C rebuilt and back on the car (working great) and took it out for a test drive. I noticed a squeaking type noise around the front end while driving. After I got back, I had someone (the lovely wife) push the front end up and down while I listened with the old long screwdriver trick to the ear and I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the coil spring. Any suggestions???
JC

John, on my '70 after installing new front coil springs I had the most irritating metal to metal squeaking while driving it. I took it to my mechanic three times and had the springs readjusted. On the fourth trip it was discovered that the "hole" the left front coil spring went through was oval instead of round and the spring was rubbing the edge of the metal. Apparently at some time in its life it had been hit on the left side hard enough to damage that area.

[Terry M.]

[Edward J.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

I'm not sure, but it doesn't look like the front end has been apart. In other words, I can't see where there would have been a reason since the control arm rubber appears to be original I sprayed everything I get close enough to. When listened to, the noise appears to be coming from the spring. I can feel the vibration in the spring while pushing the car up and down; no vibration on the passenger side. The noise even sound like a spring noise. I've got one more trick up my sleeve to try and get some spray lube to the upper most point at which the spring sits. A long small diameter piece of tubimg attached to a coat hanger to enable me to reach the top of the spring and then spray it. If this doesn't work I may just have to remove the lower arm and pull the spring.
jc

John, most of the time lubing some with the suspension like rubber bushings or coil springs will only be a temporary fix. if its the spring rubbing against the frame tower you maybe able to see the area with a visual inspection.If the suspension has never been apart its unlikely that the noise is a spring, maybe a lubrication with a ball joint or tie rod?

The other thing you maybe able to check is the lower control arm has a small hole and when assy'd at the factory the coil spring should be positioned over the hole or midway in the hole. This hole is a drain for the lower control arm. good luck.

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

John, on my '70 after installing new front coil springs I had the most irritating metal to metal squeaking while driving it. I took it to my mechanic three times and had the springs readjusted. On the fourth trip it was discovered that the "hole" the left front coil spring went through was oval instead of round and the spring was rubbing the edge of the metal. Apparently at some time in its life it had been hit on the left side hard enough to damage that area.

How in the world did you fix that?
JC

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

John, most of the time lubing some with the suspension like rubber bushings or coil springs will only be a temporary fix. if its the spring rubbing against the frame tower you maybe able to see the area with a visual inspection.If the suspension has never been apart its unlikely that the noise is a spring, maybe a lubrication with a ball joint or tie rod?

The other thing you maybe able to check is the lower control arm has a small hole and when assy'd at the factory the coil spring should be positioned over the hole or midway in the hole. This hole is a drain for the lower control arm. good luck.

I saw that hole. I don't think it's been apart. All the bushings appear original. (Probably a good reason to pull it apart). I've sprayed everytrhing I can get to with no success. The top part of the spring is tucked up into the frame and very difficult to get to. I'm convinced it's the spring just because the vibration when moving the car is definite. I'll pull the shock and try to lube the upper portion of the spring. It has to be fixed, the noise when driving is rediculous.
JC

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

You wouldn't think something so simple could be so difficult to pinpoint. I realize the spring is the most unlikely culprit but The vibration is very prominent at the spring. I'll remove the shock just to rule it out before going to further extents.
JC

[John C.]

Re: Front coil spring noise on a 65

Hi guys, anybody know if there is any kind of a cushion (rubber) located at the base of the coil springs. I finally got the M/C rebuilt and back on the car (working great) and took it out for a test drive. I noticed a squeaking type noise around the front end while driving. After I got back, I had someone (the lovely wife) push the front end up and down while I listened with the old long screwdriver trick to the ear and I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the coil spring. Any suggestions???
JC

I got it!!!! Ok guys, After thinking about it for a couple days, I went at it again. Convinced it was the spring, I jacked up the car, pulled the shock off so I could see better and there it was, I couldn't see it, but I could feel it. The back side of the coil spring was rubbing the frame where it went through on its way up to the upper sitting position. Once I got around the back side of the spring, I could actually see the raw spots where the spring and the frame were rubbing each other (barely).. It was a very small rub spot, but just enough to make an aweful noise will driving. I pushed the spring forward about an 1/8th of an inch (all it would go) and took a small rounded file to the spot on the frame. Applied a little grease just incase it tried to do it again and put it back together. Pushed up and down on the car, Silence! Oh yeah!
Thx for the help fellows!
JC