What a stupid noise....

[Swedishmoose]

Hi there...



I was wondering if anyone can help me out.

When i am rocking our AU Falcon up and down at the front, the suspension squeeks.

Something needs to be lubricated so it seems. I have noticed that squeeking noise on many Falcons (EL, AU) when they rock up and down (at speed humps or curbs etc.).

It comes from the front. It also seems to be depending on the weather.

When we had the 46C in NSW it was very squeeky when rocking. Today it was a nice 25 and it was gone or it was still there but very soft.


The shock absorbers are at least 4-5 years old...maybe older and I am not sure if they can squeek like that.


Does anyone have an idea what that is and what needs to be lubricated (joints, bushes, shocks, anything?)



Any suggestion is much appreciated.

The Moose

[XR6T0Y]

That old?
Change 'em

[macman]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

That old?
Change 'em

Really? You automatically think it's the shock absorbers? And 4-5 years old warrants replacement?

There's a lot more than shock absorbers that "move" down there...

To the OP, if you don't know what the squeak is (and don't know where to start looking to find out) then that implies that you would likely not know (or be qualified/safe) to replace anything that was squeaking anyway.

Take it to a reputable suspension specialist and ask for their opinion or quote. If you're not happy with their recommendation, get a second opinion.

[Swedishmoose]

Hi there...


so you think its the shocks?

I mean they are the standard ones but I didn't think they could make that sort of sqeeking noise.

I wish there was a way to get the front shocks out without disassembling the whole front suspension...


But thanks for the information mate..


cheers

The Moose

[Swedishmoose]

Originally Posted by macman

Really? You automatically think it's the shock absorbers? And 4-5 years old warrants replacement?

There's a lot more than shock absorbers that "move" down there...

To the OP, if you don't know what the squeak is (and don't know where to start looking to find out) then that implies that you would likely not know (or be qualified/safe) to replace anything that was squeaking anyway.

Take it to a reputable suspension specialist and ask for their opinion or quote. If you're not happy with their recommendation, get a second opinion.

Hi there...

well I do a bit of work on the car but i am not equipped for that kind of job and i am relying on the car. If it was a "tinker car" I would do much more with it.

I thought it would be a common problem because I have heard it on so many Falcons when they rock up and down (always the front suspension).

I was hoping that it is so common that someone could suggest some joints or bushes that need some lubricant.

But thank you for your thoughts


The Moose

[XR6T0Y]

Originally Posted by macman

Really? You automatically think it's the shock absorbers? And 4-5 years old warrants replacement?

There's a lot more than shock absorbers that "move" down there...

What's with the attitude? I gave my opinion on the matter.
I said it because, guess what, although I may have a B series, my shocks squeak as well. Hence why I said change them. Not to mention the age of them, and how much it will improve ride if he does replace them.
Please don't have a go at me for stating my opinion to a question

[peterljohnson55]

Originally Posted by macman

Take it to a reputable suspension specialist and ask for their opinion or quote. If you're not happy with their recommendation, get a second opinion.

Good advice ... ... even take it to two or three suspension specialists; then you will get a range of comments.

Although they may not all agree -- then maybe they will -- at least you will have something to work with from people who are closest to the problem, and can hear it; and probably an estimate of cost/s as well.

[macman]

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

What's with the attitude? I gave my opinion on the matter.
I said it because, guess what, although I may have a B series, my shocks squeak as well. Hence why I said change them. Not to mention the age of them, and how much it will improve ride if he does replace them.
Please don't have a go at me for stating my opinion to a question

Wasn't meant to be attitude but reading back over my post I can see how you took it that way. Perhaps read my post again but take it literally, wasn't meant to be having a go.

I don't own a B-series BUT automatically jumping to "shock absorbers, replace them because they're 4-5 years old" seemed a bit rash, unless there's something I don't know about B-series shock absorbers being a common failure?

I don't consider 4-5 year old shocks to be an issue that stands out to me enough to make a confident statement that they need replacing immediately without any consideration for any other part/parts.

When it comes to steering and suspension, personally I think it's best left to the experts, especially when the cars weight, springs and possibly bushes requiring specialist tools/presses are involved.

[Evgeni]

The bushes on the lower control arms are common for making noise.
An easy diagnosis would be to spray them down with spray lube and see if this eliminates the noise. You should be able to get to all of them without jacking the car up.

If it is, what is happening is the pivot bolts in the control arms corrode. You need to take them out one at a time, clean then on a wire wheel or with a wire brush, grease and torque them back up to spec.

[Dauphin]

SwedishMoose, I had the same problem about seven years ago concerning a front right shock. I was told to fit new bushes but went to got a second opinion. They lubricated something and it has never done it since. I don't remember what it was.

[Swedishmoose]

Hi guys...



thanks again for all the comments. I can work with all the information so far. The shocks need to be replaced soon I guess...it feels a bit wobbely

@Dauphin

that would be nice to find out what they have lubricated

i didn't have much time but I'll get under and spray a bit

WD40 is probably to aggressive for rubber and bushes....is there anything that can be used to lubricate rubber?

Evgeni mentioned "spray lube"...is that a brand?


Thanks again..

cheers


The Moose

[Dauphin]

It was a car service place I don't wish to go back to. They did it in the shop so I didn't see what they did.

Would silicon spray be okay? I think we spray that stuff on the door rubbers and such to keep them well.

[Raptor]

Sway bar bushes squeak when dry.

Does it go away after/during rain?

[Evgeni]

Originally Posted by Swedishmoose

Hi guys...



thanks again for all the comments. I can work with all the information so far. The shocks need to be replaced soon I guess...it feels a bit wobbely

@Dauphin

that would be nice to find out what they have lubricated

i didn't have much time but I'll get under and spray a bit

WD40 is probably to aggressive for rubber and bushes....is there anything that can be used to lubricate rubber?

Evgeni mentioned "spray lube"...is that a brand?


Thanks again..

cheers


The Moose

WD40 should be fine. I use an equivalent from Repco, but it is the same stuff. Just remember all you are doing with the spray is trying to isolate a problem and not fix it at this stage.
If you want a specific rubber lubricant, use silicon spray - from most auto stores.

[poppa smurf]

CRC 808 is what you need......it is a silicone spray that drys leaving a surface that lubricates but does not attract dust

I used it on my falcon.....dont use anything like wd 40 or 5-56 or normal lubricants as these will attract dust and chew your bushes out

[Maka]

I had a little squeak in the front end (cant remember which side) did a search, sprayed some silicon spray in & around the lower control arm bush, noise disappeared & hasnt been back since - Evgeni is correct about the corrosion on the pivot bolt because this squeak i had turned up after a drive in a big storm...

cheers, Maka

[Swedishmoose]

Hi guys...

at the moment it doesn't squeak anymore so it must have something to do with the weather as "Raptor" said.

If it appears again, I'll get under the car and spray every bolt and joint.

The focus will be the bushes of course..

Another thing that I would like to know is how to get my interior mirror of the mount. It sits pretty firm and I don't want to use too much force and avoid breaking the windshield.
It has nothing to do with the squeaking noise but I didn't want to open another thread just for that.
Do I need a special tool to get it of the mount or is there another trick to it that I couldn't figure out.

Thanks again for all the posts.


cheers

The Moose

[Uncle_Ken]

yeap go here

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...articleid=1197

UK

[Swedishmoose]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

yeap go here

http://www.fordforums.com.au/vbporta...articleid=1197

UK

Thanks mate...that's what I was looking for......not a single maintenance book is mentioning it anywhere (Haynes, Gregory etc.)

Cheers


The Moose