Squeaky Fox Shocks

[Tcw1184]

My new runner has a few kinks that need to get ironed out, one of them is that the rear Fox shocks are super squeaky. I got under the truck and put my hand on the shocks and confirmed it was them (you can feel the resistance). I know when I bring it in to Toyota (Monday), I feel like they're just going to spray some grease at them and call it a day. I'm just wondering if it's a sign of defect. I've never had brand new shocks squeak.

Seems like the Jeep people complain about them too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un7kulLiaoQ&t=44s

 

[fkheath]

My new runner has a few kinks that need to get ironed out, one of them is that the rear Fox shocks are super squeaky. I got under the truck and put my hand on the shocks and confirmed it was them (you can feel the resistance). I know when I bring it in to Toyota (Monday), I feel like they're just going to spray some grease at them and call it a day. I'm just wondering if it's a sign of defect. I've never had brand new shocks squeak.

Seems like the Jeep people complain about them too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un7kulLiaoQ&t=44s

Are you sure it is not the rubber bushings? Those squeak, but the shocks?

 

[DannyLlama]

Fox suck major you know what... I had them for years and nothing but problems. Switched to Kings and never happier. FWIW

 

[Tcw1184]

Are you sure it is not the rubber bushings? Those squeak, but the shocks?

95% sure it’s the shocks. I emailed Fox and they said if a brand new shock is squeaking it’s likely defective. We’ll see what Toyota says.

 

[Tcw1184]

Fox suck major you know what... I had them for years and nothing but problems. Switched to Kings and never happier. FWIW

I’ve only ever had off-road trims with blisteins (which never gave me issues). This is my first venture into “performance” territory. I was excited to have a step up, but they seem to get mixed reviews.

 

[Tcw1184]

Dealer claims my squeaky shocks are 'normal' for Fox shocks. Not sure why I expected a different answer. They have a few pro Tacomas coming in soon. Im going to go up there and stand on the bumper and see if it does the same thing. If it does I'll be quiet and put some grease on the shaft, if not I'll be back for the service guys.

 

[honda250xtitan]

ah, yes grease the shaft of the shock...f'ing brilliant.

 

[Tcw1184]

ah, yes grease the shaft of the shock...f'ing brilliant.

Thanks for your helpful feedback, guy. 1 I know you're normally not supposed to put anything on the shaft since it will attract dirt and the seal is self wiping. 2 I'm not talking about packing like a freaking wheel bearing, just something to slick the rod a little by the seal. Probably only temporary, and hopefully not detrimental to the seal, but it seems like that's what both the Jeep and Raptor folks have resorted to doing.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Glad I could help!!!

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Dealer claims my squeaky shocks are 'normal' for Fox shocks. Not sure why I expected a different answer. They have a few pro Tacomas coming in soon. Im going to go up there and stand on the bumper and see if it does the same thing. If it does I'll be quiet and put some grease on the shaft, if not I'll be back for the service guys.

It's not normal. My 2019 PRO had the knocking sound in cold weather. It literally sounded like a horse walking down a cobblestone street. There was a TSB and my shocks were replaced under warranty. Fox updated the shocks and changed the design of the coil spring to fix it. I traded that for a 2023 TRD PRO and I haven't had any noises, squeaking or otherwise, in 10k miles. I'd take it to another Toyota dealer.


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[Redsoxx1918]

Dealer claims my squeaky shocks are 'normal' for Fox shocks. Not sure why I expected a different answer. They have a few pro Tacomas coming in soon. Im going to go up there and stand on the bumper and see if it does the same thing. If it does I'll be quiet and put some grease on the shaft, if not I'll be back for the service guys.

Is it coming from the rear? After they replaced my front shocks under warranty for the knocking sound, my rear shocks made a squeaking noise. The black plastic sleeve that surrounds the rear shock was misaligned on both shocks and it was rubbing against the shock body. You could see where the sleeve was rubbing the paint and printing off of the shock body. Toyota also replaced both of my rear shocks under warranty because of it. Crawl under there and let me know if you can see wear marks where that black sleeve is rubbing. Before they replaced the shocks, I could push on my rear bumper and make it squeak. Was much worse when cold. I haven't had this issue on my 2023.


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[Tcw1184]

Is it coming from the rear? After they replaced my front shocks under warranty for the knocking sound, my rear shocks made a squeaking noise. The black plastic sleeve that surrounds the rear shock was misaligned on both shocks and it was rubbing against the shock body. You could see where the sleeve was rubbing the paint and printing off of the shock body. Toyota also replaced both of my rear shocks under warranty because of it. Crawl under there and let me know if you can see wear marks where that black sleeve is rubbing. Before they replaced the shocks, I could push on my rear bumper and make it squeak. Was much worse when cold. I haven't had this issue on my 2023.


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Thanks for sharing. Yes, it's only the rear. I didnt notice the sleeve rubbing, but I'll get back under and look again. When I washed the truck last week they didnt make a peep for the rest of the day (I'm assuming because they water lubed something). Next day back to normal though. I'm going to keep pressing them on it.

 

[Bmnorm2]

Thanks for your helpful feedback, guy. 1 I know you're normally not supposed to put anything on the shaft since it will attract dirt and the seal is self wiping. 2 I'm not talking about packing like a freaking wheel bearing, just something to slick the rod a little by the seal. Probably only temporary, and hopefully not detrimental to the seal, but it seems like that's what both the Jeep and Raptor folks have resorted to doing.

Do you have a good link to the Jeep or Raptor issue? Just curious.

I know modern Mountain Bike Fox Shocks are actually self lubricating. There is an absorptive material right under the dust lip seal that holds some shock oil and as the shock is cycled the oil rubs the stanchion. I'd imagine there is a similar solution for automotive Fox shocks...

Some people will still use a silicone spray on a rag to very lightly lubricate the lip seal and stanchions. Apply via rag, cycle up and down a few times, wipe away all excess. This lubrication method is along the lines of what I think you were suggesting.

@OP - let us know what you find out. Hopefully as simple as the plastic sleeves rubbing.

 

[<<<<]

I had a similar noise in the back but it wasn't shocks. Fluid film made its way into spring perch and dirt accumulated there caused annoying squeaking which did go away for short time after washing the car. I lifted the spring out the perch, cleaned it well, put fresh coat of paint there and now it is silent.

 

[Tcw1184]

Do you have a good link to the Jeep or Raptor issue? Just curious.

I know modern Mountain Bike Fox Shocks are actually self lubricating. There is an absorptive material right under the dust lip seal that holds some shock oil and as the shock is cycled the oil rubs the stanchion. I'd imagine there is a similar solution for automotive Fox shocks...

Some people will still use a silicone spray on a rag to very lightly lubricate the lip seal and stanchions. Apply via rag, cycle up and down a few times, wipe away all excess. This lubrication method is along the lines of what I think you were suggesting.

@OP - let us know what you find out. Hopefully as simple as the plastic sleeves rubbing.

Unfortunately, the sleeves look perfect. No signs of rubbing. The information I saw was posts on forums/reddit, which isnt the easiest to dig back up, but essentially what you said is along the lines of what I saw people saying they did.

 

[Tcw1184]

Update - I’ve suspected the wiper seal was the culprit here, but after pulling the plastic cover, the seals weren’t making a peep. However, after spraying some mild soapy water on the top shock bushings, the noise seems to have gone away. Obviously this is temporary, and explains why it went after after car washes, but I don’t really understand why they’re squeaking, or from what part.

Do I do the spray-and-pray and hit the bushings with some silicone-type spray? I just bought a tube a Toyota lithium soap grease for a brake job, I could pull the shock tower and apply a little to different places. My only concern it drawing dirt and debris and causing premature wear. Any insight?

 

[honda250xtitan]

Update - I’ve suspected the wiper seal was the culprit here, but after pulling the plastic cover, the seals weren’t making a peep. However, after spraying some mild soapy water on the top shock bushings, the noise seems to have gone away. Obviously this is temporary, and explains why it went after after car washes, but I don’t really understand why they’re squeaking, or from what part.

Do I do the spray-and-pray and hit the bushings with some silicone-type spray? I just bought a tube a Toyota lithium soap grease for a brake job, I could pull the shock tower and apply a little to different places. My only concern it drawing dirt and debris and causing premature wear. Any insight?

maybe try loosening them up a bunch, apply some long lasting silicon lube or something, and then tighten them down to the right torque. or just tighten them as is.

 

[Lcsguthrie]

I have a '21 with the Fox Shocks. The front driver's side has squeaked/creaked on and off for the last 10k miles. I took the shock completely off and lubed everything in sight with lithium grease. Still squeaks occasionally. I'm convinced it's something internal to the shock at this point. I bought one of those cheap mechanic's stethoscopes and it's loudest when I put the rod on the shock body itself.

 

[Tcw1184]

I was waiting to do anything since I saw that my dealer was getting in a few Pros. Went and looked at one today and the rear shocks squeak the same as mine, which means the dealer definitely wont do anything about it since they already told me its 'normal' for the fox shocks. when it's not 1000 degrees, I'll pull the top tower bolt and apply a very thin amount of toyota rubber grease (since i have more than i'll ever use) to the tower shaft. I suspect that's gonna take care of it; will report back.

 

[Battle Born Offroad]

My new runner has a few kinks that need to get ironed out, one of them is that the rear Fox shocks are super squeaky. I got under the truck and put my hand on the shocks and confirmed it was them (you can feel the resistance). I know when I bring it in to Toyota (Monday), I feel like they're just going to spray some grease at them and call it a day. I'm just wondering if it's a sign of defect. I've never had brand new shocks squeak.

Seems like the Jeep people complain about them too:

Fox 2.5 Shock noise/creaking issues… - YouTube

The OE Fox shocks that come on the Pros are made in a different facility from their aftermarket and race offerings.

FOX Factory Race and Elite Series shocks are very high quality, the OE stuff is great quality as well but a mass produced item that occasionally has production issues, like any mass produced item.

You shouldnt need to spray lubricant on them as the in/out motion of the shock shaft continually coats the shaft with shock oil on a micro level, but if they are new a touch of a silicone based lube could prevent the noise for now.

There are several reasons that they could be squeaking; the most common on the OE shocks (Jeep, Toyota, etc) is a dry wiper seal that has not been broken in yet. Other noises could be coming from the bushings, rub or contact with an external component, nitrogen in the oil from improper assembly, etc.

Take it back to Toyota and ask them what their solution is, it is covered under warranty. Otherwise it could take 1500+ miles to wear in that wiper seal that is most likely the cause of it.

While I know its not what people want to believe, but performance shocks make a lot of noise as compared to a sealed twintube shock. The bypasses on some of the trucks we work on are enough to drive you crazy.

The part I am referencing is #17