creaking and other stuff going on....

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Saverio

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Hey guys,
Sorry in advance for the lengthy explanation, but I want to be thorough.

For about the past two weeks, i've been getting the old creaky bed sound from the front passenger side over ANY kind of surface that isn't flat. There isn't any knocking or grinding, only creaking.

I got a grease gun and grease today, cleaned up and lubed up the fittings/boots and it helped tremendously.

The problem is, there is still a slight creaking noise but, not anywhere nearly like it was.

From my research on here, I've realized that I need new leaf springs (which were ordered today from ESPO), but while under the car I noticed I have a slight inner wear pattern on the front tires. This tells me the ride height may not be set right.

So my question - could an improper ride height (high or low) put enough stress on the components to make the creak, or is my problem most likely somewhere else in the front suspension? I will get some photos posted tomorrow.

Also, does anyone know the correct ride height for a 1974 A-Body?
I'm trying to get a shop manual ASAP.......EDIT: I just scored one of FleaBay for $22!
 
From that explanation, it sounds like a bad or worn out control arm bushing. That could also change the camber which would explain the tire wear pattern.
 
Saverio said:
So my question - could an improper ride height (high or low) put enough stress on the components to make the creak, or is my problem most likely somewhere else in the front suspension? I will get some photos posted tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Your front end could simply be worn out.

Put a jack under the lower control arm and jack one tire off the ground about 2-3 inches. Grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock and try and wiggle it back and forth. Grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and do the same.

Put a bar under the tire and lift and release.

Repeat other side.

Do you get movement/clunking with these two tests. If so how much?
 
Bad Sport said:
Your front end could simply be worn out.

Put a jack under the lower control arm and jack one tire off the ground about 2-3 inches. Grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock and try and wiggle it back and forth. Grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and do the same.

Put a bar under the tire and lift and release.

Repeat other side.

Do you get movement/clunking with these two tests. If so how much?
Click to expand...

Thanks very much. I'll try this when I get home this afternoon and see what happens.
 
Bad Sport said:
Your front end could simply be worn out.

Put a jack under the lower control arm and jack one tire off the ground about 2-3 inches. Grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock and try and wiggle it back and forth. Grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and do the same.

Put a bar under the tire and lift and release.

Repeat other side.

Do you get movement/clunking with these two tests. If so how much?
Click to expand...


I tried this last night and didn't have any movement or clunking.

I'm stumped. Maybe a strut rod bushing? When I looked at them last night, they looked like they were in good shape though.
 
I don't think they are polygraphite. I actually recorded a video of it and am trying to get it uploaded, maybe that will help.
 
I used to get this all the time on my old Ranchero. Just some wear and minor rust in some bushings...but it eventually revealed itself as wear on the upper bushings. Try spraying silicone lube (not WD40) on the upper and lower control arm bushings, and in the T-bar sockets on the back of the lower control arms. And then pump some grease into the upper and lower ball joints. (Oooops looks like you did already; good!) If you want to better ID it, then do it one spot at a time.

If either the upper or lower bushings stop squeaking with the silicone spray, then you may have a worn bushing that is moving where it should not, and that needs to be replaced. None of the stock type bushings actually rotate on anything; the rubber just twists. Such wear may easily not show up with the tests you did, but it is wearing things that should not be worn, and needs correcting.

ALSO....thoroughly visually inspect the crossmember front and back sides under the car where the T-Bars anchor, and all around the K-member; if you have a crack developing, then it can creak and groan like this.

Finally, for what it may be worth, the inner tire wear could be due to a number of things, and the ride height difference is not on the top of my list of suspects....misalignment is #1 and then misalignment caused by a worn part is #2.
 
I noticed a slight excessive wear pattern on the inner treads of my 73 Satellite.

While the wheel was off, and the car supported by the frame horn. I grabbed the brake rotor and moved as instructed above, but while looking at each part that could be affected, when I watched the lower ball joints, they moved about 1/16"...bingo.

I should probably redo everything but the LBJ is particularly easy, so I'll probably just do those. IMO it's slightly under on mileage at 60,000, but WAY over on time at 41 years!
 
A creaking sound when you move the suspension is most always a ball joint. They will creak but may not have any play.
 
Thanks everyone for your help. I think I found the culprit.
This is the passenger side LCA Bushing.


And here again



SON OF A B.........


And if anyone is curious how horrible it sounds, here is a video.

[ame="http://s1375.photobucket.com/user/Saveriomazzotta/media/74%20Scamp/3ED168B8-65E7-4480-BFAE-D15BCF96CDEB_zpskf4rqybb.mp4.html"]3ED168B8-65E7-4480-BFAE-D15BCF96CDEB_zpskf4rqybb.mp4 Video by Saveriomazzotta | Photobucket[/ame]
 
My 72 did the same thing.. I replaced all the bushing in the front end and boy did they need it and all is good now and the car handles better too.. I also replaced the rear spring bushings and all 4 shocks.... Its not as bad as you would think to do...Bill:cheers:
 
pro-tech said:
My 72 did the same thing.. I replaced all the bushing in the front end and boy did they need it and all is good now and the car handles better too.. I also replaced the rear spring bushings and all 4 shocks.... Its not as bad as you would think to do...Bill:cheers:
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill! After looking around at all the parts under here, I'm just going to replace it all.
I think after 40years, it's a little past due. Haha!
The only thing that worries me is the LCA bushing, for the fact they have to be pressed in - and I don't have a press.
 
Yeah, that looks a little bit worn! You can go to a machine shop for the press work; I would personally try to be there during the operation.....to make sure they install the new ones just with spit as a lube...no greases or oils. Read up here on all the tehcniques for LCA bushing R&R so you wil be forearmed to make sure they do it properly.
 
nm9stheham said:
Yeah, that looks a little bit worn! You can go to a machine shop for the press work; I would personally try to be there during the operation.....to make sure they install the new ones just with spit as a lube...no greases or oils. Read up here on all the tehcniques for LCA bushing R&R so you wil be forearmed to make sure they do it properly.
Click to expand...

Will do - thanks for the advice! :D
 
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