persistent suspension squeaking
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 13
From: McAllen, TX
persistent suspension squeaking
My '02 UL has a persistent suspension squeaking that I can't get rid of. Its so noticeable over bumpy pavement, even very mild rough pavement, and most of it is emanating from the front. It seems to be occurring mostly when the vehicle is going over uneven rough pavement and especially while turning. In other words, going straight over a speed bump doesn't seem to cause the squeaking.
I am fairly convinced it's the sway bar bushings. I've had them replaced along with all the other rubber parts in the suspension. Techs say the suspension is fine. A few times I've requested the bushings to be lubricated and for a few days the squeaking will be gone but then it returns. Obviously this car didn't make that noise when it was new or even for a long time after that. Given that I've replaced the rubber parts, why does it continue to squeak? I just want my suspension to feel and sound like it did when it was new.
Anyone have any suggestions on PERMANENT solutions?
I am fairly convinced it's the sway bar bushings. I've had them replaced along with all the other rubber parts in the suspension. Techs say the suspension is fine. A few times I've requested the bushings to be lubricated and for a few days the squeaking will be gone but then it returns. Obviously this car didn't make that noise when it was new or even for a long time after that. Given that I've replaced the rubber parts, why does it continue to squeak? I just want my suspension to feel and sound like it did when it was new.
Anyone have any suggestions on PERMANENT solutions?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 13
From: McAllen, TX
Outer tie rods and rack bushings are nearly new. Air shocks, ball joints, upper and lower control arms, sway bar end links are all nearly new with only around 25k miles on em. Squeaking has been around for at least half those miles. Total 135k miles on car. Engine and trans mounts replaced a few months ago. Freshly aligned too.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: il
Originally Posted by ancdmd
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootnylee
possibly steering components?
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Outer tie rods and rack bushings are nearly new. Air shocks, ball joints, upper and lower control arms, sway bar end links are all nearly new with only around 25k miles on em. Squeaking has been around for at least half those miles. Total 135k miles on car. Engine and trans mounts replaced a few months ago. Freshly aligned too.
Originally Posted by bootnylee
possibly steering components?
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Outer tie rods and rack bushings are nearly new. Air shocks, ball joints, upper and lower control arms, sway bar end links are all nearly new with only around 25k miles on em. Squeaking has been around for at least half those miles. Total 135k miles on car. Engine and trans mounts replaced a few months ago. Freshly aligned too.
Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 704
Likes: 28
From: KC, MO
Any chance that they put in polyurethane bushings in the steering rack or sway bar bushings? If they didn't grease them or used the wrong grease they will squeak. Regular rubber bushings don't need to be greased but polyurethane bushings do.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: McAllen, TX
Nope they're OEM rubber, purchased from Sewell
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 704
Likes: 28
From: KC, MO
Okay, how about inner tie rods? And if you're doing this yourself, have you gone back over every bolt and nut to make sure everything is snug and tight? I've had alignment techs that didn't check for loose bolts on the lower control arms. They also missed checking the bolts on the front cross member. By the way, I purchased my steering rack polyurethane bushings from Sewell - so they do have both in stock.
Last edited by Bon; Apr 5, 2013 at 08:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 13
From: McAllen, TX
I've had the car checked several times by different techs and they all say everything is in good shape and tightened down, even the subframe bolts. I know the bushings are all rubber, inspected them myself. I haven't had the inner tie rods checked specifically, but I would hope that when I ask for everything to be inspected that the techs would look at em. If they were bad I would expect the steering to feel a bit loose, but not squeak.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 704
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From: KC, MO
You say you have new air suspension. Is this a UL and is this still an OEM air suspension? Were both upper and lower ball joints replaced? The upper control arm and ball joint was probably replaced as a unit but was the the lower ball joint replaced when the work was done on the lower control arm bushings?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 13
From: McAllen, TX
Yes new OEM air shocks, new ball joints, new upper control arms, lower control arms, outer tie rods, sterring rack bushings, sway bar bushings and end links, all at same time. Just doesn't make sense that there would be any squeaking from up there. You'd think will all those fresh parts it would sound as silent and solid as a new car but the squeaking just makes it feel like a worn out old car to me. I do have 20" wheels but apart from making things stiffer there shouldn't be any squeaking.
Last edited by ancdmd; Apr 6, 2013 at 01:28 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 704
Likes: 28
From: KC, MO
If the squeak wasn't around before the parts replacement and it is now, then I'd have to suspect the installation of the new parts. Perhaps they could lube just the sway bar to see if the squeak is affected. If so you've narrowed down your problem. If not then lube around the other rubber parts trying to narrow down to the offending part. Eliminate one at a time, practice patience and eventually the specific problem part will become clear. I might even be tempted to disconnect the sway bar links and drive the car briefly to see if the squeak is gone.
