Squeaking Duck
#1
Squeaking Suspension
I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota Sport V6 3.9L 4WD and experiencing squeaking in the front end, most likely front supension when going over bumps at lower speeds. There are two speed bumps that I drive over going on campus where I live and hear it everytime. I had this issue last spring and did the squeak test, lubricate one rubber bushing at a time until the squeak stops. Did that and the last thing lubricated was the upper control arm bushings, on both sides, after that the squeaking stopped. It went away until this winter now, not that it has snowed yet. But my upper control arm bushings are the only rubber bushings that are cracked, the part I can physically see looks like an almond cookie. I took it to a shop the other day, and didn't have time to get it looked at, but they quoted me $1000 for the repair, which they are reluctant to do until they can confirm that it is the bushings, which I understand, yet cannot afford. I know its not my shocks, those are new, I checked the ball joints last spring and those were still tight and not loose. Does any of this sound right? What should I check again for broken/cracked bushings? What should I be looking for in squeaks if the issue is my upper control arm, or any other squeaking part? I can upload a picture of my bushings later if that helps any? Thanks in advanced
Last edited by MDivZ; 12-05-2019 at 10:23 AM.
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#6
Although I re-lubricated my upper (and then lower) control arm bushings when I was working on cleaning my breaks and noticed that the back end squeaked when jacking up the truck. The squeaking in the front end hasn't happened since I lubed up the bushings, but the back end has. I don't know if that helps or not. (Hopefully these images aren't as big as they are in the reply box..)
Thank you for your responses.
Last edited by MDivZ; 12-09-2019 at 09:45 AM.
#7
What you show behind the washer and nut does look a little dry rotted, but ive seen worse. Look at the bushings on the inside portion of the control arm and see if the shaft seems to be"off center".
control arm bushings are cheap and not hard to change. I wouldn't change control arms just for bad bushings. Change the bushings. I've done 4 sets this year for me and for others. You WILL have to take the truck and get it aligned afterwards ASAP. Those slotted bolts that hold the control arm to the truck is your adjustment for alignment. And you will never get it right back where it was before you started.
I put new leaf springs, shackles, u bolts, and shocks on the back and all new bushings and shocks throughout the front end of my Durango last month, including rack bushings sway bar bushings and upper/lower control arm bushings then took it and got it aligned, and I didn't spend a $1000 with all of that. I had replaced the ball joints a few years (and not a terrible lot of miles) before that, they were still fine. Add in my 4 new tires at the same time and with all the new. parts, the alignment and new tires and I might have scratched $1200 for all of it.
control arm bushings are cheap and not hard to change. I wouldn't change control arms just for bad bushings. Change the bushings. I've done 4 sets this year for me and for others. You WILL have to take the truck and get it aligned afterwards ASAP. Those slotted bolts that hold the control arm to the truck is your adjustment for alignment. And you will never get it right back where it was before you started.
I put new leaf springs, shackles, u bolts, and shocks on the back and all new bushings and shocks throughout the front end of my Durango last month, including rack bushings sway bar bushings and upper/lower control arm bushings then took it and got it aligned, and I didn't spend a $1000 with all of that. I had replaced the ball joints a few years (and not a terrible lot of miles) before that, they were still fine. Add in my 4 new tires at the same time and with all the new. parts, the alignment and new tires and I might have scratched $1200 for all of it.
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#8
What you show behind the washer and nut does look a little dry rotted, but ive seen worse. Look at the bushings on the inside portion of the control arm and see if the shaft seems to be"off center".
control arm bushings are cheap and not hard to change. I wouldn't change control arms just for bad bushings. Change the bushings. I've done 4 sets this year for me and for others. You WILL have to take the truck and get it aligned afterwards ASAP. Those slotted bolts that hold the control arm to the truck is your adjustment for alignment. And you will never get it right back where it was before you started.
control arm bushings are cheap and not hard to change. I wouldn't change control arms just for bad bushings. Change the bushings. I've done 4 sets this year for me and for others. You WILL have to take the truck and get it aligned afterwards ASAP. Those slotted bolts that hold the control arm to the truck is your adjustment for alignment. And you will never get it right back where it was before you started.
I have put new shocks on front end and back end earlier this summer and spring, but I will check all the bushings again.
#9
not "inner bushings" there are no such thing. Just the "other side" of the control arm bushings you already showed. Between the inner portion of the control arm itself and the attaching bolts that hold it to the truck. Same solution, replacement of control arm bushings.
#10