Squeaky suspension

[Cornato]

My 86 CRG Van has a super squeaky suspension and I'm going nuts. It has leaf springs in the rear, they don't make that much noise. But the front is LOUD. Cornering, bumps, getting in and out. Any change and it makes noise. And it's bouncy as hell. I'm gonna lift the torsion bars today to see if that helps. Any other suggestions?

[slosurfer]

how old are your shocks?

[timsrv]

The bouncy part is almost certainly your shocks. The squeaky part is most likely your upper A-arm bushings and maybe your torsion bar mount areas. Just replacing your shocks should help a lot though because controlling the bounce will also minimize the squeaks. As for stopping the squeaks completely, unfortunately Toyota didn't see fit to provide grease zerks in these locations for the 2wd vans. About all you can do is get under there with a can of penetrating oil and try to work it in there. I prefer silicone spray as it doesn't leave as much residue but wd-40 or similar products will have more staying power. There's also white lithium grease in the spray can. In most instances this works awesome because it comes out thin like water but gels up when exposed to air. I have my doubts that you could work it into the spots where it really needs to be though, so for this I'd probably stick with the silicone spray or wd-40. Here are your target areas:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/vansuspension.jpg

The 4wd people have an advantage here because Toyota saw fit to put grease zerks on the 4wd:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/whatever/MA-10.jpg

[EZHIKER]

How old are the shock cushions?

[Cornato]

No idea how old the shocks are. They're blue...that's all I know. And the front is sagging pretty bad. Hard to change? I do all the work myself.

[EZHIKER]

You may need an pneumatic impact wrench to break the bolts. If your van is already sagging both shocks and cushions (upper and lower) should probably be replaced before cranking your torsion bars to correct the height. You will need alignment as well after adjusting the torsion bars. Put your regular passenger weight in the drivers seat before adjusting for best results.

[ARP]

well at least my 4WD does have grease zirks at the upper A arms but unfortunately they are oriented in such a direction that I have never been able to get a gun on them - at least not on the drivers side :no:

[ARP]

I'm referring to the one in Tim's diagram with the arrow pointing down, on the driver's side in my van is is actually on the engine "side" of the arm

[Reducto]

I picked up an 89 RWD 5-speed van a few months ago and have been working through all the minor problems. The shocks were on their way out and it was making a noise that I thought was the right front shock binding as the car went over bounces. I didn't have a garage at the time so I had a mechanic put in KYB shocks all the way around and told him I was going on a long trip and wanted him to inspect everything down there. He said the ball joints were a little worn but not in danger of going out and everything looked ok. He didn't seem to like working on the van, though, so he may not have looked very hard. It was fine for a few days then started squeaking worse than before! It comes and goes now - it will either make no noise, or it will make it with every bump no matter how small. It seems to do it less when it's wet out, but that's hard to say.

Should I start replacing bushings or is there something else I should be looking at? Where would I even get a bushing set? The van has 210k miles and everything feels like it's working properly. I don't think much if anything has been done to the suspension other than the shocks.

[timsrv]

There are several places it could be squeaking from, but the most common spot is the upper A-arm bushings. The rubber up here gets dry and makes noise. Unfortunately the RWD vans don't have grease zerks here (or even a place to put them) so lubing them up is not easy. All I could suggest is to get a can or 2 of silicone spray lube and spray a ton of it up, in, and around these bushings. Use the little red tube to get it in as far as possible. You should also get your sway bar bushings while you're at it. This might not work at 1st, but give it a day or 2 to penetrate in. Good luck. Tim

[tmiron]

My 1984 van is getting pretty squeaky, especially once she warms up. This gets annoying on long car trips. Could this be my shocks? Springs? Struts? The van seems to pass the "bounce test" ( when you jump on the bumper and see if it keeps bouncing after you stop jumping) so I think the shocks are ok. Any advice? Spray some WD40?

[timsrv]

The upper control arm bushings are usually the culprit. They get worn & dry & the result is the squeaking. 4wd vans have grease zerks for lubing these, but the 2wd vans have nothing. If you drench this area in silicone spray it might get it into the right spot, but you'll probably need to disassemble to lube. If you disassemble, I'd recommend replacing the bushings. Sometimes it's not worth addressing as it's typically not a safety issue (just annoying). The red circles are the upper bushings. There is also a lower bushing that could be squeaking (not circled). The green circles are where the torsion bars connect (there should be lube in here too). If you disassemble, make sure you relax tension on the torsions 1st.......or injury could result. The other precaution is to avoid getting lube on the pads & rotors. Brakes rely on friction and lube is the last thing you want on these surfaces. Tim

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/timsrv/vansuspension.jpg

PS: Here's another similar thread: http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?344-Squeaky-suspension&p=1983#post1983

[JFratzke]

I have done this to both of my vans and highly recommend it tmiron. It's one of the cheapest, easiest things you can do for your van that will make it more of a joy to drive. I hate squeaks and rattles! Once I did this, a lot of that undercarriage squeak just vanished. If I remember correctly, I think I paid $18 for the bushings.

[madcow41]

thanks for posting this I really want my van to ride real nice so far I have changed the 4 shocks andsway bar bushings nowthe r next

[rowemjr]

Does anybody have a recommendation for front sway bar bushing replacement? Are there any better options out than original? Part number 48815 in the diagram at the link is what im looking for. http://www.toyotapartsoverstock.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=506260

Also looks like rock auto has some. But im confused because when i search for my 89 4wd it brings up several options. One is marked 4wd specific and looks a bit different. Is that what I need?

Thanks mike

[originalkwyjibo]

The 4WD specific listing on RockAuto under '89 van is for the sway bar end to lower control arm. It's #48811A in you're linked diagram. The ACDelco #45G0582 has an application chart if you click the info button showing '84-'89 fitment with no notes for 2 or 4WD and the Moog #K90531 shows an alternate part # matching the one from your linked diagram.

[rowemjr]

Okay that makes sense. Do you know by chance if these should fit very snug around the bar. Because mine currently have quite a bit of play. And i suspect this to be the source of the loud knocking i hear over bumps.

[originalkwyjibo]

My understanding is they should be snug around the bar.

[fastcanoe]

OMG the sqeaking....It's driving me fvxking CRAZY!!

So I tried the silicone spray a few times and i feel like it worked... for a second. The day after I sprayed everything the second time, it was pretty hot out and the squeaks were at a minimum. So I'm wondering if that was something to factor in to it going away as well. Today however it's cold and raining and they're back.

What i can't seem to pinpoint is where they're coming from exactly. One thing for sure is it's multiple squeaks. If I turn the wheel in either direction, even just a slight lean on it, I hear a squeak. Also though, there's a healthy squeak coming from upward/downward motion like even when I just sit down in the drivers seat.

So - I'm wondering if all of my bushings need replacing? I ordered new shocks which should be hear soon but if I'm going to get in there, I might as well replace everything?? :cnfsd:


-t

[brentlehr]

I've found ATP reseal (http://www.amazon.com/ATP-AT-205-Re-Seal-Stops-Bottle/dp/B000NVW1LM) works really well for stopping control arm bushing noise. Put it in a small spray bottle and get in there as best you can. It helps to thoroughly clean all dirt and debris that you can and let it dry first. I'm not sure if it degrades the bushing quicker or anything, but I know it works to stop the squeaks.

I've redone my entire front end and still trying to track down some random intermittent squeaks and rattles.... totally understand where your coming from.

[timsrv]

Since my 86 has over 230k miles on stock bushings, control arms, and ball joints, I figured the front suspension was due for some rework. When I weighed my options, I decided to just replace everything. I went to rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,1987,van,2.2l+l4,1279784,suspension,control +arm,10401) and purchased all 4 control arms (uppers & lowers) for ~$300 (reference: Moog #RK621261, RK621260, RK641388, & RK641387). This way I won't need to mess with pressing bushings. The uppers already have ball joints too, so it's pretty much unbolt the old and bolt on the new. Until I get around to it I'll just put-up with the squeeky squawky front suspension. Tim

[LateralTech]

Since my 86 has over 230k miles on stock bushings, control arms, and ball joints, I figured the front suspension was due for some rework. When I weighed my options, I decided to just replace everything. I went to rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,1987,van,2.2l+l4,1279784,suspension,control +arm,10401) and purchased all 4 control arms (uppers & lowers) for ~$300 (reference: Moog #RK621261, RK621260, RK641388, & RK641387). This way I won't need to mess with pressing bushings. The uppers already have ball joints too, so it's pretty much unbolt the old and bolt on the new. Until I get around to it I'll just put-up with the squeeky squawky front suspension. Tim


Any luck getting these parts installed? I am looking at doing the same, but was wondering how hard it was do this project? Any special tools required?

[timsrv]

No, I'm still listening to the "squeaky squawky" front suspension. One of these days :yes:. Other than a pickle fork you shouldn't need any special tools. You will likely need to pull the radiator so you can get the upper A-arm bolts. After it's done you'll need an alignment. Tim

[JFratzke]

You know what seems to quiet my van down, as counter intuitive as it seems? Loading it to the brim with camping gear. For some reason the extra weight just puts a damper on the noises. I just did a 3-day 500+ mile trip fully loaded and it was a joy to drive. Ran great, no issues. :thmbup:

[MyToy]

Hey Tim:

I am having the same issue with squeaks with my rubber bushings. They are tight just dried out.
I had a local guy tell me to saturate the rubber with AT 205 rubber sealant. He said it is used to penetrate the rubber and swell the rubber. He said it would last a long time and will not collect dirt and rejects water.
You hear anything about that?

[timsrv]

I know there are things that will make rubber swell-up. They do that by chemically attacking the rubber. It is actually making it weaker, but if it's contained (as it is inside the bushings) it might be okay. If the rubber is already worn out, then I guess you don't have much to lose. I'm sure there's varying degrees you can affect the rubber and some products that offer this might be more acceptable then others. I'm not a chemist, so I don't know what you can expect from that particular product. If you use it, please let us know your results. Tim

[Tan Van]

regarding stabilizer bar bushings---you can get great Rock Auto deals on bushings and end links......pay attention to 2WD vs. 4WD ...additionally, use cooking oil in the bushings not motor oil ... the fit should be nice and snug, and, when the frame bushings are worn out, ... it can be a source of "clunking".6770

[iq_artwork]

Hello everyone, I’m getting this squeaky sound on my van as well. I have an ‘84 van and I have replaced all the ball joints, lower control arms, stabilizer bar and my shocks are less than 8 months years old.. is there a way I can replace only my bushings in my upper arm?


Are these the right bushing in AutoRock? Front upper professional (#88912549)


10125




also I’m looking to replace these bushings. Does any know where can I find them?
10126

[fastcanoe]

Yes but it's a big job and if you're going to dig that deep, might as well replace ALL the bushings along the way. I think the thing with the arms is you'll have to press the new bushings in, which I understand to be.... 'challenging'? Maybe not, I could be wrong.

I've been spraying one of my lower bushings that's been noisy with Deep Creep, and it seems to work for a handful of months before it starts acting up again. It's been like this for 4 years now.

[iq_artwork]

Fastcanoe thank you very much for your quick reply! First I will try adding some WD-40 silicon grease or Deep Creep, to see if it’s does the job.

Are the bushings for the upper control arm all the same for both sides? So I need 2 for each side, right?

[89van]

As for stopping the squeaks completely, unfortunately Toyota didn't see fit to provide grease zerks in these locations for the 2wd vans. About all you can do is get under there with a can of penetrating oil and try to work it in there...
The 4wd people have an advantage here because Toyota saw fit to put grease zerks on the 4wd


Darn, well I would've thought the 2WDs would've had some too and from the owner's manual it looked like they did have some on either drive choice, but apparently its lumped in with the 4WDs only I suppose thanks to the slip yoke inclusion. Good information though, guess I'll be reserving my grease gun for my pickup truck once it's back from the shop because I'm positive it does have zerks on it. Should put this in the Vans section too so nobody else gets confused! :thmbup: