squeaking front end

[Heath]

The squeaking in the front of my SWB Prado has finally got to me. What can cause this? Am I right in thinking the bushes might be poked? Should I swap the front ones to nolathane (IFS) for a better street ride and leave the rears rubber (the back end is where all the (limited) articulation takes place anyway)? Where can I go to get it done (pitstop/midas)?

[meatc]

Could be lower ball joints. My terrano used to develop a squeak when they were on the way out.

[albundy]

Where can I go to get it done (pitstop/midas)?

You'll pay througfh the nose going her, plus they will "find" other shit that is in need to fixing. Where do you usually go for your mechanical work, go there.
AL

[NJV6]

Just drive off road more!!

Mine squearks for the 1st 5 mins then goes nice and quiet as all the joints get wet

[kbushnz]

To track it down, spray a joint with WD40 or similar and go for a drive, when it goes away its that joint.
Keep it away from brakes !.
This could take several days
Or go over all connections and check tighted.

Also I had a terrible sqweek,,,, The leading and trailing arm bushes used to spin under articulation and sqeek as they overcame friction.
When I changed my bushes due to wear the sqweek went with them.

Calvin

[Big-AL]

in my terrano it was the lower ball joints too. i know a good mechanic in glenfield, he works from home, so is cheaper than a workshop, but knows his stuff and is qualified. let me know if you want to use him? i always take my stuff to him now.

[Heath]

Where can I go to get it done (pitstop/midas)?

You'll pay througfh the nose going her, plus they will "find" other shit that is in need to fixing. Where do you usually go for your mechanical work, go there.
AL

Yeah I know they find stuff, but I dont fall for that shit. I give a list of what I want done and nothing else is considered unless it is a safety thing and then I want to see the old parts before they start (not the bits out the back they keep for scaring the unaware). I like to have a clear understanding of the work, the value and the time it will take before I part with my vehicle and the $$$$. I dont mind paying a premium for the service I want (and demand), but if they let me down I wont go back and I wont refer anyone either.

Got a bit of a shit on with my usual place for some work they didnt do. Missunderstanding they said, yeah they didnt listen to the customer - personally put at least $15K through their doors in the last 9 years (not to mention referals) and now I'm looking else where. Had to happen soon as I am moving anyway, but now I've got the hassle of finding someone reputable in a world full of sharks. I might just let them do the WoF and service, but i'll do the next lot of big stuff when I get to the new place (about $6k worth of lockers and tyres). Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I dont tend to give second chances.

[Heath]

Should I go for Toyota rubber bushes or after market types? (nolathane or what have you)

[Heath]

Tried all the different bushes with a spray lube and nothing fixes it. It would seem they are all to blame. does get quieter at speed and when really wet but when it dries out it is even worse then before, so I will have to get it sorted.

I'll wait until I get the other work done before I spend anymore $$ incase I dont have any left.

So rubber or nolatahne in an IFS wagon?

Tempted to go with a stiffer rubber for road manners and because the front end pivots and doesnt flex so it should be fine. I'll play with the back end and get it moviung to compensate one day I guess (or fit lockers - one day - maybe)

[Andrew1706]

Do a SAS or get a louder stereo

[Fakey]

Checked your body mounts lately?

[Heath]

Suspension related. Going to get it sorted in the next few weeks (or is that months - not too good at prioritising...)

[PuddleJumper]

Hey Heath - Long time no see... Either would be ok - Nolathane would be cheaper than genuine rubber Toyota bushes but i should say the rubber ones would last better. All of the Nolathane bushes i have had always seemed to crack and tear (mainly spring hanger bushes) over time. All your bushes in the front of your truck are probably all original items so they've not done to bad.

Thats a bit of a bugger about the workshop

Scott

[Heath]

Hey Heath - Long time no see... Either would be ok - Nolathane would be cheaper than genuine rubber Toyota bushes but i should say the rubber ones would last better. All of the Nolathane bushes i have had always seemed to crack and tear (mainly spring hanger bushes) over time. All your bushes in the front of your truck are probably all original items so they've not done to bad.

Thats a bit of a bugger about the workshop

Scott

Yeah was a bugger, but shit happens (we'll tick it up to a misscomunication and move on I think - they are still going to do my service soon though ).

Hows the new job treating ya?

Yeay rubber might be the go I think if I can get another 170K out of them I'll be happy.

[Heath]

So I figured I have a few hours to kill why not have ago at the squeaks. Had aclimb underneath and thought I'd do the sway bar mounts as they looked easy to change. Got some new ones and bunged them in (so saved myself an hours labour ), but when I went for a drive still the same. I have isolated it to the front though and one side has a different squeak then the other so it is both sides. I guess its time to pay someone to pull the fron apart and do their thing. May as well get them to put my new struts in while they are there too.

So for a quiet few minutes I thought I had it sorted and then I started driving. - BUGGER.

I guess if I am honest I knew it would be something bigger to fix.

[chrome]

you might have a mouse??

[Heath]

Nah rats.

[Heath]

Right its fixed.

Front shocks buggered (worn in a wierd place due to bushes wearing uneven) now replaced and I will keep the old ones for emergency backups. Bought them ages ago to change but never got to it

Lower bushes in the arms absolutely farked. Were fine (just squeaking) in the mount but when removed they are completely flogged out. The rubber is chewed out and it is a wonder they worked at all.

Had an alignment done and had them tweak the wheels forwards in the guards a little to allow a bigger tyre to not rub (for later on... maybe)

So a little over $500 ($800 if you include the shocks) and its all good, no squeaks drives nice and staright, shocks feel good with no binding at all.

The guys at the Shock shop (wairau alignment on Currys lane) sorted it but they were cool and put up with me sitting ther waiting and talking shit. Recomend them.