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Squeaky back end (no joke) :)
rossdanialnaumov - January 26th, 2012 at 09:13 PM

Hi guys,

I've just fitted some new adjustable spring plates to the rear of my 70 bus and they came with new rubbers that fit around the axle tubes. My issue is that they're squeaking! and it's annoying the shite out of me! I was supposed to put grease or lube on them before fitting right? Is there a way of fixing the squeak without pulling out the springplates again?

Cheers.
Ross

bajachris88 - January 26th, 2012 at 09:17 PM

Rubber as in rubber, or urethane?

rossdanialnaumov - January 26th, 2012 at 09:29 PM

Yes rubber. When I jump up and down on the rear bumper I can hear the squeak so I'm sure it's the spring plate rubbers. I could be wrong.

Smiley - January 27th, 2012 at 09:54 AM

Pull them out and liberally coat them with graphite powder, or talc powder.

I've always used graphite on mine and have never had any dramas until last weekend. I have a little squeak now, but I did do a lot of mud and water crossing, so I assume I just have some crap in there.

The other thing it can be is the rubber bushes in your shock eyes. Make sure you check these are right too.



Smiley :)

rossdanialnaumov - January 27th, 2012 at 08:56 PM

Great thanks Smiley! I was hoping I wouldn't need to pull out the springplates but it looks that way.

68AutoBug - January 27th, 2012 at 11:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rossdanialnaumov
Hi guys,

I've just fitted some new adjustable spring plates to the rear of my 70 bus and they came with new rubbers that fit around the axle tubes. My issue is that they're squeaking! and it's annoying the shite out of me! I was supposed to put grease or lube on them before fitting right? Is there a way of fixing the squeak without pulling out the spring plates again?

Cheers.
Ross


Hi Ross.
they are usually made from rubber and the rubber twists not the spring plates tube..

they say to use talcum powder on them, but I think that is to make it easier to install new rubbers..

If You have urethane rubbers then Your problem is the urethane is too stiff..
and the tube inside the bush is moving back and forth.. so rubber grease may help...

spraying with WD40 etc may also help stop the squeak..
and save you a heap of work...
if it will penetrate inside the bushes..

Lee

Smiley - January 28th, 2012 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 68AutoBug
Hi Ross.
they are usually made from rubber and the rubber twists not the spring plates tube..

they say to use talcum powder on them, but I think that is to make it easier to install new rubbers..

If You have urethane rubbers then Your problem is the urethane is too stiff..
and the tube inside the bush is moving back and forth.. so rubber grease may help...

spraying with WD40 etc may also help stop the squeak..
and save you a heap of work...
if it will penetrate inside the bushes..

Lee


I would try to avoid using oil based products on the rubbers. You don't know how they are going to react and the WD40 could eat the rubber.

Rubber grease is a good option, with one downside. Because it is a wet lubricant it will attract dirt, dust and road grime into the moving parts of the spring plate, wearing your rubbers out more quickly. You be the judge of whether this will be a problem for your car or not. Cause mine is an offroad it frequently sees dirt, sand and heavy dust.

This is why I would recommend a good dry lubricant such as talc powder or graphite powder.
I using graphite cause the colour matched the black rubber of the bushes better :crazy:


Smiley :)

68AutoBug - January 28th, 2012 at 09:05 AM

as the bushes are tight on the torsion bar tubes

I don't think anything could get in under the rubber apart from a penetrating fluid like WD40 etc..

You can use a degreaser later to wash off any external wd40

If its driving You crazy... Its worth trying..

LEE

vwo60 - January 28th, 2012 at 10:27 AM

You can try some silicon lubricant in a pressure pack, you can get a CRC product that puts a coating on and dries, it works very well, the can has a extension tube to spray into tight spots so you should be able to get in there, also there will be no problem with it reacting with the rubber.

Mattriots - January 28th, 2012 at 02:24 PM

Use a lanolin based lubricant like Lanox or Lanotec
Without a doubt it is the best penetrant/lube for rubber suspension components, I used to coat all my old Mercedes suspension stuff with it, zero squeaks!!
And stay clear of urethane suspension bushes, urethane is not a load bearing product!

AA003 - January 28th, 2012 at 02:32 PM

The factory says talc.

I'd go with talc or graphite.

rossdanialnaumov - January 28th, 2012 at 04:07 PM

Thanks guys and yes 68AutoBug it's driving me crazy! It seems to only do it after they warm up say after 10 minutes of driving. The car doesn't see any offroad so I don't think dirt will be a problem Smiley. The amount of times I drive the car and given I'm planning on doing some rear suspension mods in the next 6 months (the spring plates might have to come back out) this is only a short term fix. I will try a spray on lubricant like CRC or WD40 and let you guys know how it goes.

Again, thanks very much for your help!

Cheers,
Ross

shaihulud - January 30th, 2012 at 12:13 AM

Try eucalyptus oil. It'll penetrate very well into the squeeky areas and you may not need to strip it all down.

Maybe check the effect of eucy oil on the rubber first. I don't expect it to be a problem.

greedy53 - January 31st, 2012 at 05:27 PM

give them a squirt of brake fluid

Klaus - January 31st, 2012 at 07:06 PM

KY just wear protection when applicating

rossdanialnaumov - February 1st, 2012 at 06:17 PM

Ha ha ha ... That's great Klaus. So many remedies! I'm loving them, thank you guys!