Rubber A arm Bushings lube

[Old Doug]

This is on a 1968 chevy car but it has bushings like a 73 and up 1/2 two wheel drive.The bushings are in good shape but there so stiff and it has good newer springs and shocks every thing is in good shape but i think the bushings are so stiff that it will not flex after it moves up or down . Its a friends car just drove some in the summer. If it was in the fall i would have more time and replace them. Would it help to spray them with silicone spray?

[kwmech]

I remember in high school when I had a 64 falcon that would squeak every winter after driving through a few puddles. My dad had a silicone/wax spray that we would soak the bushings with and it was good for another year

[Old Doug]

The owner told me that the tires were squealing. i drove it about a month ago it did it a little turning sharp. I changed the oil yesterday and drove it to town. I made a 90 degree turn at a stop lite and it did it for 2 miles . The front end was rebuilt several years ago and driven under 2000 miles a year after that. It has stiff front springs and seats up good. I think for some reason the front end is so stiff that it isnt flexing and going back to were it should after a bump or sharp turn. I am going to get some silicone spray today and jack it up spray it and check it over. I replaced the shocks but maybe their hanging up.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Old Doug

The owner told me that the tires were squealing. i drove it about a month ago it did it a little turning sharp. I changed the oil yesterday and drove it to town. I made a 90 degree turn at a stop lite and it did it for 2 miles . The front end was rebuilt several years ago and driven under 2000 miles a year after that. It has stiff front springs and seats up good. I think for some reason the front end is so stiff that it isnt flexing and going back to were it should after a bump or sharp turn. I am going to get some silicone spray today and jack it up spray it and check it over. I replaced the shocks but maybe their hanging up.

This makes me think the bushings were tightened while the arms were extended thus possibly putting them in a bind when the suspension is @ rest. I would first loosen & re-tighten the a-arm bushing pivots w/full weight on the suspension & see if that helps before applying anything to the bushings. Anything petroleum based breaks down rubber bushings so keep that in mind when seeking solutions for squeaky stuff.

Another possibility is the alignment. Tires squeaking after directional change could indicate the Toe setting is not optimal. Might be worth having it double checked.

[Old Doug]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

This makes me think the bushings were tightened while the arms were extended thus possibly putting them in a bind when the suspension is @ rest. I would first loosen & re-tighten the a-arm bushing pivots w/full weight on the suspension & see if that helps before applying anything to the bushings. Anything petroleum based breaks down rubber bushings so keep that in mind when seeking solutions for squeaky stuff.

Another possibility is the alignment. Tires squeaking after directional change could indicate the Toe setting is not optimal. Might be worth having it double checked.

You brought up some good points. I grease the ball joints and sprayed silicon spray on the bushings and bounced the front end up and down .I took it for a drive and it drove better and the tires didnt make any noise. The left upper a arm dosent have any shims so there is a problem.

[Old Doug]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I remember in high school when I had a 64 falcon that would squeak every winter after driving through a few puddles. My dad had a silicone/wax spray that we would soak the bushings with and it was good for another year

Me and a buddy put a 289 in his 61 falcon when we were in high school i would like to have one today.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Old Doug

Me and a buddy put a 289 in his 61 falcon when we were in high school i would like to have one today.

Had a 260 in mine with the 2 speed auto

[72c20customcamper]

Ru-Glyde in a spray bottle. Best rubber lube out there I've been using it since the 70s

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Old Doug

You brought up some good points. I grease the ball joints and sprayed silicon spray on the bushings and bounced the front end up and down .I took it for a drive and it drove better and the tires didnt make any noise. The left upper a arm dosent have any shims so there is a problem.

Not a problem if the desired specs were achieved during an alignment.

The Left vs. Right sides will usually have different shim stack quantities. It is weird not having any shims. But if it's working (you don't have to fight it driving down the road & it's not eating up tires) then you're probably fine.