Hello. 2007 4runner 108k miles, stock LCA. After a recent heavy rain noticed that the front suspension made a "creaking" sound while slowly braking and when I would take my foot off the brake. Checked and relubed all front brake pads/shims--noise still there. There was little or no noise while actually driving the vehicle that I could hear.

After a couple days of dry weather, the noise seems to have almost disappeared. So I went underneath and sprayed the LCA bushing areas with silicone spray and now the noise is back again. It is clearly heard and felt pretty much only while applying or releasing brakes as the front of the vehicle shifts.

Any idea what may be going on here? Need new LCA bushings or arm replacement?

thanks!

I do spray the control arm bushings all and the grease boots with silicone paint/rubber/plastic safe products.. some silicone sprays have damaging solvents. I use the silicone sold at homedepot .. used for years on all my vehicles and house stuff.

I would wash the bushings using some dish soap then the next day when it is all dry use the straw in the nozzle and spray the rubber bushings.

I do have old vehicles 20 yrs and older use this on the rubber door gaskets also .. my 84 camaro OEM door gaskets still good .

The type of LCA bushing/alignment adjust set-up is really poor. No doubt your adjust bolts are rusted in the bushings but when these are torqued to spec the up/down movement of LCA is basically the twisting of the rubber bushing allowing what ever up/down movement you get as front suspension moves, I would think that loosening the adjust bolts and then spraying with the silicone spray would be the most effective.
It would be nice if the LCA/adjust bolt design was similar to a motorcycle swingarm, sealed and allowing the arm to move freely up and down.
I haven't experienced the squeeking you've got but I have replaced both LCA's on my '03 due to rusted bolts/bushings.

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and sprayed the LCA bushings again today but with brake cleaner trying something different. Now I have more of a popping sound while braking when the vehicle shifts front/back. Also some popping noises when barely moving but turning the wheel or backing out of driveway. Can't really hear it while driving until I come to a stop.

I'm thinking more and more it's LCA bushings but will wait a couple days to see if the noise lessens if I can keep the bushings dry.

Anyone know a good way to test the lower control arms before I purchase new ones and new hardware? thanks!