[Shotimes] suspension

[George Fourchy]

On Sat, 22 Mar 2003 13:45:40 -0500, Erik Balser wrote:

>Possible bad tie rod ends, but more likely you need a spacer installed in
>the strut assembly to prevent the squeak.

It probably wouldn't hurt to address both possibilities, since the car has the
mileage it does.  Tie-rod ends will squeak with a high pitched sounding noise
anytime they flex. which can happen even if the steering wheel is not turned.  He
said he heard it going over a bumpy paved road.  If he is going straight ahead, the
sounds are most likely coming from the outer tie-rod ends.  I have not been able to
hear the rubbing of the struts against the towers while the car is moving at
speed....too much background noise.   (and shot ears!)

If the sound comes from turning the wheel left and right, and is the struts rubbing
the towers, usually the sound will be the same at a given point as the wheel is
turned.  This is due to the same spot on the strut mount rubbing the same place on
the inside of the tower over and over.

Tie-rod ends can be tested for squeaking, if they are really bad, just by jouncing
the front of the car up and down while it is parked, the same way you'd test the
struts.  

Address them both....tie-rod ends are about 35-40 bucks each....get greasable ones. 
The spacer problem can be addressed with a dollar's worth of 1/8 inch thick fender
washers.  Jack the car up, loosen the 3 nuts that hold the strut to the tower, use a
large screwdriver or pry bar to push the strut down enough to put the washers on the
studs, then work the strut back up and put the nuts back on.

George