loud squeak from rear suspension

[indygeek79]

First off I know very litte about suspensions

There is a loud squeak from the rear end on every bump, every stop, every start basically everything makes it squeak.

I have not had time to take in and have it looked at.

What would anyone first opinion be? Shocks? Struts? I don't remember which is in the rear or if both are.

 

[Crazee D]

Welcome to our world!
Probably need lube on some bushings. Rear sway bar, trailing links are my squeakiest.
Do a search for "klunk".

 

[evolv]

First off I know very litte about suspensions

There is a loud squeak from the rear end on every bump, every stop, every start basically everything makes it squeak.

I have not had time to take in and have it looked at.

What would anyone first opinion be? Shocks? Struts? I don't remember which is in the rear or if both are.

Welcome to MSP ownership. The dreaded "klunk" "clunk" is the end result of failing rear sway bar bushings. First indication of failing bushings is the "loud squeak".

There are a few ways to get the bushings to stop squeaking.

1. lube them again and again and again
2. replace them with new stock bushings (you will repeat this again soon) but if covered under warranty is the cheapest solution.
3. remove them (and remove the rear sway bar)

Solutions number 1 & 2 will lead to eventual bushing failure and solution 3 will make your car handle like crap.

The bushings wear out prematurely because the bushings are inwards from the end of the sway bar. The turning action of the sway bar under load is also pulling up and down on the bushings. This pulling action causes the bushings to prematurely wear away.

The least expensive fix for this is an AXR Clunk Fix Bracket. The bracket relocated the sway bar bushings to the ends of the sway bar eliminating the pulling action. The kit comes complete with all hardware needed to install it and new bushings.

Since I am the manufacturer of this fix I won't go on about it, but ask you to search the forums for "clunk" "klunk" "clunk fix" and draw your own conclusions.

More info on the AXR is available in my signature.

 

[MrDiggler]

Yes, it will squeak early on and then clunk when they really get worn. Don't even mess around with the stock bushings and arrangement, get one of evolv's clunk-fix kits while you still can (I think he's only got 2 left). The handling improves noticeably with the kit installed as well.

I replaced stock rear bushings a couple of times and wished I'd bought the kit earlier. One of my last stock ones actually completely failed in 15k miles, which is not good.

 

[lisevolution]

I bought the urethane bushings from a vendor we can't mention on here... but they've stopped the squeak and they last significantly longer than the stock ones...

 

[evolv]

I bought the urethane bushings from a vendor we can't mention on here... but they've stopped the squeak and they last significantly longer than the stock ones...

I know that ones you speak of... The only down side is the fact that the bushings are still located inwards on the sway bar. These new bushings will last longer then the stock ones but they too will break apart from the lateral forces from the sway bar.