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58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension
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furvedere
Posted 2022-05-16 3:34 PM (#621529)
Subject: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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1958 Plymouth Belvedere…getting really noisy now…even when making slight turns. Did it when I purchased it 6 years ago…quieted it down completely by spraying penetrating oil on upper a-arm bushings. Tried to do the same yesterday but it didn’t help a bit. Can get it to make horrible Creaking, Squeaking noise by pushing down on front bumper. Perhaps it could be the shock? Not sure. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Bob
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ronbo97
Posted 2022-05-16 3:53 PM (#621530 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: RE: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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Yes, I was thinking shocks. How old are they ? Replacing them is an inexpensive fix.

Ron

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Viper Guy
Posted 2022-05-16 3:58 PM (#621531 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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You might consider lubricating the torsion bar sockets too.

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1960fury
Posted 2022-05-16 5:36 PM (#621532 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: RE: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Possible, that the person who replaced the bushings the last time tightened the anchor bolts and cam bolts with the suspension in the rebound position (car on a hoist). Common mistake. No fix for that, except all new bushings.
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57plymouth
Posted 2022-05-17 6:36 AM (#621543 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Mine does the same thing. In my case it's because the body mounts are trashed. It sounds like it's the front suspension, but it's actually the body mounts.

Try spraying them with oil and see if it quiets down. Then you know what you need to replace.
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57chizler
Posted 2022-05-17 12:26 PM (#621544 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: RE: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Depending on how old the suspension bushings are, they might be worn to the point that you have metal-to-metal contact....this will cause a squeak and lubing will help. Often hard to see.
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Powerflite
Posted 2022-05-17 4:39 PM (#621547 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Another thing to check is the strut rod bushings, but most likely, you'll need new upper control arm bushings. Oiling them isn't a good fix as it will just worsen the condition of the rubber.
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furvedere
Posted 2022-05-18 11:22 AM (#621557 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Well, got it up on the lift. Inside of tires wearing out too. Strut rod bushings are crumbling/falling apart. I sprayed the torsion bar bushings up and got the squeaking to stop. By the looks of everything under there, sure looks likes a full front end rebuild is in order. Nothing I can handle by myself though. Got to start asking around to see who can do this. I’m in Rochester, NY area if anyone can recommend…? Less and less mechanics will do this stuff anymore. Hard to even find anyone that will do a front end alignment now.

Quick question: Would really bad strut rod bushings make both tires wear out on the inside? Just thinking if I can bide some time by replacing them. They’re easy to replace. Did them on my 58 Desoto a few years back. Thanks guys.

Edited by furvedere 2022-05-18 11:25 AM
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Powerflite
Posted 2022-05-18 12:13 PM (#621562 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Bite the bullet and get it done. I recommend that you take it apart yourself and take the control arms to a shop to get them to press the new bushings in for you. That's really the only hard part about it. Then put it back together yourself and drive it to an alignment shop. You can eyeball it to get it close enough to drive there.
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ronbo97
Posted 2022-05-18 12:45 PM (#621564 - in reply to #621562)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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Powerflite - 2022-05-18 12:13 PM Bite the bullet and get it done. I recommend that you take it apart yourself and take the control arms to a shop to get them to press the new bushings in for you. That's really the only hard part about it. Then put it back together yourself and drive it to an alignment shop. You can eyeball it to get it close enough to drive there.

Yes. I agree with Nathan.

Your uneven tire wear is caused by bad tie rods and improper alignment. I'll bet the car wanders as you are driving down the road. Rebuilding the front end is not that difficult. Just use a proper tie rod separator. Don't use a 'pickle fork'.

Ron

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57chizler
Posted 2022-05-18 1:04 PM (#621565 - in reply to #621557)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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furvedere - 2022-05-18 8:22 AM

I sprayed the torsion bar bushings up and got the squeaking to stop.


FYI, petroleum-based oils should never be used on rubber bushings, it causes them to swell and eventually disintegrate.
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furvedere
Posted 2022-05-18 11:44 PM (#621595 - in reply to #621565)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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57chizler - 2022-05-18 1:04 PM

furvedere - 2022-05-18 8:22 AM

I sprayed the torsion bar bushings up and got the squeaking to stop.


FYI, petroleum-based oils should never be used on rubber bushings, it causes them to swell and eventually disintegrate.


I should've used silicone then huh? Shoot. Well, what's done is done. Sounds like they all need replacing anyways. If the penetrating oil worked to quiet the torsion bar bushings this time and upper a-arm bushings last time, what should that tell me basically? The innermost bushings have hardened up/disintegrating or just plain worn out? Its probably the Original front end...so I should just rebuild the whole thing? I've replaced idler arms before and adjusted torsion bars to level car (by the way. I was surprised when I couldn't adjust this car, there's no adjustment on these torsion bars?) also have replaced steering box seal before but I never did a complete front end. I guess I'll consider rebuilding it? I could look it up on YouTube maybe, get familiar with it and I'll remember, no pickle forks...thanks, I don't own one anyways ;-) sounds like you guys think it's not such a hard job. Thanks for the encouragement.

Edited by furvedere 2022-05-18 11:47 PM
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mikes2nd
Posted 2022-05-19 11:18 AM (#621600 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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yeah silicone... Super lube

But you can replace the destroyed ones... loosen everything and then retighten...

Figure out exactly which bushing is making the noise...
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58coupe
Posted 2022-05-19 11:25 AM (#621601 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Of course you can adjust the torsion bars on a 58 Plymouth. Not sure what you are looking at or referring to.
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furvedere
Posted 2022-05-24 7:26 PM (#621722 - in reply to #621601)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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58coupe - 2022-05-19 11:25 AM

Of course you can adjust the torsion bars on a 58 Plymouth. Not sure what you are looking at or referring to.
there’s no adjustment bolts. I was dumbfounded when I got under there. I’ll take a photo and post.
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mikes2nd
Posted 2022-05-27 1:58 AM (#621758 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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wtf? what in the holes?
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Rebels-59
Posted 2022-05-27 8:30 AM (#621761 - in reply to #621722)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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furvedere - 2022-05-25 12:26 AM

there’s no adjustment bolts. I was dumbfounded when I got under there. I’ll take a photo and post.


You may be looking in the wrong place Bob,, As there has to be some kind of Adjuster to Tension the Torsion Bars ..

Clive
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57chizler
Posted 2022-05-27 12:09 PM (#621763 - in reply to #621761)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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The adjuster is at the rear of the torsion bar, under the crossmember.



(Adjuster.PNG)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Adjuster.PNG (71KB - 108 downloads)
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Viper Guy
Posted 2022-05-27 4:56 PM (#621769 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Once you locate the adjusting bolts, it's best to jack the car up which makes it easier to turn the bolts - especially if you are trying to raise the front of the car. After you get the car reasonably close to the height you desire, you will have to drive it, or roll back and forth a fair distance and bounce it vigorously for a few seconds. After that measure the distance to the wheel well opening at the center of the wheel with the wheels straight and make sure they are the same height. I always set mine about an 1/8" higher on the driver's side mainly to compensate for the driver weight.

Make sure you measure your rear height to make sure your rear springs are not sagging or uneven.

Hope this helps.

Edited by Viper Guy 2022-05-27 4:58 PM
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furvedere
Posted 2022-05-30 1:19 PM (#621799 - in reply to #621529)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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Thanks guys, I’ve located these adjustment bolts. They’re “hidden” compared to later models in which Im more familiar. I’ve adjusted torsion bars on most every mopar I’ve owned except this one. Ordered stabilizer bushings too because there’s hardly anything left of the these. Can bad stabilizer bushings have much to do with bad tire wear…in my case on the insides of both tire treads?
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ronbo97
Posted 2022-05-30 5:24 PM (#621806 - in reply to #621799)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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furvedere - 2022-05-30 1:19 PM . Can bad stabilizer bushings have much to do with bad tire wear…in my case on the insides of both tire treads?

Not really. Read my previous post. You need to go thru the steering linkage and replace the necessary parts. Then get a proper alignment.

Ron

 

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furvedere
Posted 2022-06-06 3:40 PM (#621964 - in reply to #621806)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension



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ronbo97 - 2022-05-30 5:24 PM

furvedere - 2022-05-30 1:19 PM . Can bad stabilizer bushings have much to do with bad tire wear…in my case on the insides of both tire treads?

Not really. Read my previous post. You need to go thru the steering linkage and replace the necessary parts. Then get a proper alignment.

Ron

 



Thanks Ron, I read your previous post and I intend to get everything checked. It’s just that I had similar experience with my DeSoto several years ago. I took it in for a front end alignment and the guy told me I needed strut rod bushings and an idler arm before he’d do an alignment so I figured I’d do the obvious before I take it in. Thanks…
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ronbo97
Posted 2022-06-06 9:05 PM (#621970 - in reply to #621964)
Subject: Re: 58 Plymouth-Squeaky Front Suspension


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I don't know what you mean by 'do the obvious'. Each car is different. The idler arm on my Desoto was fine, while every other part of the steering linkage needed rebuilding or replacement. Let your mechanic identify what needs replacement rather than just throwing money away on parts that may be OK.

Ron

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