Replaced LBJs - now squeaking?

[Devbot]

Has anybody hear noticed a squeak/creak develop after changing out their ball joints? Yesterday I finally ditched the 20 year old LBJs for some brand new ones, and about halfway to work today I developed a squeaking coming from the passenger side triggered by 90% of bumps in the road, at practically all speeds. Doesn't seem impacted by anything, at least not that I can tell (turning, 4WD, etc.)
I followed Timmy's tutorial by the book, which doesn't exactly require disconnecting much to do the job but nevertheless I went back through and re-torqued everything down with no luck. I don't exactly see why it would be the ball joint as they typically only squeak once they've gone dry, but at the same time it's the only thing I worked on this weekend so I don't see why it wouldn't be either. Maybe because of no alignment yet? You can practically match the squeak to the bouncing/shock absorption of the vehicle
Anybody been through a similar situation? I'm wondering if maybe it's the LCA itself, somehow - but some advice would be appreciated before taking a shotgun approach! Did the ball joints on Sunday and had a quiet ride on Saturday. :dammit:

 

[OpenYota]

How are your sway bar bushings looking?
Mine started to squeak pretty bad after I changed my ball joints but they were shot

 

[Devbot]

All brand new. Already chased those noises a week or two ago! I actually undid and retightened the end links thinking maybe their bushing were squeaking, might do the bar now that you mention it

 

[Dieselchessy]

What brand ball joints? Did you check them for grease before install?

Not sure what you undid, but if you undid any of the controll arm bolts, did you torque/tighten them when the rig was supporting its own weight on the tires?

Correct ball joint on the correct side?

Never had any squeaks after such work, so just guessing.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I bought my rig with new lower ball joints installed from the previous owner.

They were grease able and he never greased them. I had the suspension creek sound. Spun in some grease zercs and cranked them full and noise went away.


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[Limoncho]

Interesting

 

[WeakSauz]

I see in your sig you have MStudt links. Maybe when you did the LBJ job, the bottom bolts somehow got loosened a smidge from all of the jarring around on the job? I only say that because those can be some very chattery front links if they're not installed super tight and greased up (heims)

 

[Devbot]

Well interesting development, I set the LBJ castle nut at 110ft-lbs instead of the minimum 105, and now the squeaking is much less consistent. Seems to only happen around city speeds now, and somewhat less sensitive. Is it possible Toyota gave me a bad joint off the floor? Continuing to increase the torque until it stops doesn't seem like the greatest idea to me
Was trying to get a video to upload for reference, but I can never catch it happening

What brand ball joints? Did you check them for grease before install?

Brand new OEM set. Already full of grease.

I see in your sig you have MStudt links. Maybe when you did the LBJ job, the bottom bolts somehow got loosened a smidge from all of the jarring around on the job? I only say that because those can be some very chattery front links if they're not installed super tight and greased up (heims)

Way ahead of you, was one of the first things I took off and retightened. Regard my second post

 

[Devbot]

Video

Got a clip :boink:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q98Fd8Dbh_w" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Devbot]

Think I found it. Sprayed some silicone WD40 on the UCA bushings and the noise all but stopped, and slowly started to creep back as the lube dried/dripped off. Very strange and unlikely for them to go at the exact same time the LBJs were replaced, but I guess the proof is in the pudding :shrug: