squeaky front end....

[0to60in6min]

hi all,

after installing front and rear new shocks, alignment (by a mechanic) the front end of my 89 Syncro squeaks a lot. I spray some silicone lube at all the bushings and it's quiet for a while and then the squeaking come back...

should I leave like that and spray silicone time to time or should I change all the bushings?

note: no squeak before new shocks, no squeak in the rear, van run straight, no steering or alignment problem...

thanks in advance

[Gauche1968]

Replacing all the bushings will either be a lot of work if you do it yourself or a lot of $ if you pay someone to do it. Replacing the bushings could open up a can of worms of other things that need to be replaced: ball joints, brake lines, etc.

You have to weigh the cost/effort against the annoyance of squeaky bushings and/or possible safety issues.
_________________
1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy

[0to60in6min]

thanks gauche...

I think I will stay with the saying "ain't broke don't fix it" for now...

btw.. a question.. why it squeaks with new shocks and didn't squeak with one shocks.... anyone knows?

thanks

[Ahwahnee]

[K58]

[boatnerd2003]

I recently sprayed CRC sp400 corrosion inhibitor on my under body, specifically the front-end steering components. More for anti-rust protection because I'm parked in a marina parking lot where there's salt spray. I liberally sprayed all the rubber parts too. It's helped alot with my squeaks. Not sure if it affected the rubber bushings which didn't look great to begin with. I figured it was worth trying to preserve them for a little bit longer. Thing I like about the CRC 400 is it drys to a waxy hard film unlike grease and last a long time. It's good stuff, similar to Boes Shield T-9.

[sbclayton]

Fresh tranny fluid in a pump oiler. Has been keeping NavDog nice and quiet for the past 21 years, and the rubber stays fresh.

Squeaks with new shocks? Who knows? It's a Vanagon. They do things like that...
_________________
Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.

[0to60in6min]

Ahwahnee & K58

what you suggested make a lot of sense since I am using new shocks with old springs, a good point I didn't think about till now...
I will lube around it and will see from there

thanks a lot

[crazybaja1]

The reason it began after the new shocks can allso be a little raising that sometimes appear after installation new and good ones (is it gas shocks?)
So if i right now your used balljoints workin in differnt angle from what they used to till now.
You can allso identify the exact source with this oparation:one man is shacking the car,and the other one is touching in the front parts one at the time and you can feel the noise in your hand.
good luck
_________________
91' Vanagon (165h.p 2008 legacy engine)
72' Baja bug in proces
71' Squareback originall not restored
87 sinca
82 sinca
70 doka
73 bug callook
71 class 11

[dhaavers]

Another vote for ATF - keeps the rubber bits nice & lively
and seems to stick around longer than silicone.

Almost seems like it soaks in...??? Good stuff.
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[0to60in6min]

[climberjohn]

[insyncro]

upper control arm bushings squeak!
replacing them without properly shimming them will have the new ones squeaking shortly.

[Nuthin2It]

The front of my van squeaked after putting on new shocks, too. It was the result of an incompetent installer - me. Apparently I tightened the top nuts while the van was still jacked up. The rubber bushings under the washers compressed (it's only supposed to be torqued to 22 ft/lbs), but when the van was lowered the shock pushed up further and the nuts were raised about 3/8" above the washers. I didn't notice that happened. It squawked like crazy at the slightest roll of the van. I thought new Koni's were making the bushings louder so I greased them, but it made no difference. It was only then that I saw the nuts on the shock almost falling off.
_________________
1985 Westfalia 15 degree EA288 Boxeer

[MaiTai]

Thanks for the tip on ATF. I just replaced all my front end stuff - bushings/ball joints and it was squeaking. ATF in an oil can squirted on all the rubber bushings did the trick!