Squeaks be gone!

[LOSTR4]

My Icon lifted T4r has started squeaking to no end on the front end. Every bump and it sounds like the springs are trying to squeeze something out...what are the best methods with dealing with these squeaks aside from just "dealing with them?" It appears to be the bushings on the UCAs...I've tried lubing them up with Vasoline and still no help. From what I can tell, the squeaks get more apparent when it's wet outside...any ideas?

 

[2014 Warthog]

Urethane bushings should be greased with urethane safe Silicone grease. If they weren't greased when they were installed then you'll have to remove them and grease them and reinstall.

A little silicone spray which is easy to find and apply while installed may quiet them a little, but real silicon grease which is harder to find and usually needs to be applied during assembly is the right way.

 

[LOSTR4]

Warthog thank you for the suggestion. I was afraid of that being the issue...I installed the bushings myself and did apply a little grease that was included with my kit but it appears the the grease has dissipated and more is needed. Thanks again.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Those bushings really need grease fittings so you can replenish it often, but a lot of times they don't because a shop grease monkey will see a nipple and just plug petroleum grease into them along with the rest of the chassis. At least that's the way it was explained to me

I have the same problem with my icon trailing arms, and well I'm sure most anyone else with urethane bushings anywhere The trailing arms have a little hole that I can spray silicone spray into which helps, but they still squeak on large deflection.

 

[Jeremy556]

What UCAs are you using? How long installed and miles?

Besides the UCA bushings, there are spherical bearings at the top and bottom of the shock. When they wear out, they squeak like crazy. Spray them regularly with lithium grease. Once they are worn out, you can shut them up for a day with grease, but they need to be replaced.

 

[LOSTR4]

I'm using...ahem, LightRacing UCAs...they have held up great and only have been on with the Icon lift for about 10k miles...the shocks seem fine with no excessive wear and no leaking. The rear shocks are showing wear on the upper rubber bushing but the noises are not coming from the rear at all...

Located in Arvada

 

[Jeremy556]

At 10k it is very most likely the UCA bushings. Did you use a torque wrench for the UCA bolt? I think the stock torque value is too high for poly bushings. I run 35 ft lb and add a locknut to keep it from coming loose.

Superlube seems to work well for grease.

 

[RPS13]

Nature of the beast with urethane suspension bushings. I stopped using them many years ago on all my vehicles as a result (except sway bar bushings, as they can be tolerable there).


One trick, take the bushings apart and wrap the steel sleeve with teflon tape (like the NPT fitting type), with grease on both sides of the tape. I recommend a thick marine grease if you can't get the usual super thick urethane bushing grease like you get from Energy Suspension. The teflon tape does wonders for keeping the squeaks down, but the friction will still rise in the joint as the grease pounds out, so it'll go back to handling like poo over time. Still, at least you can keep it somewhat silent.