Suspension / ChassisQuestions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?
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My t-tops squeak like you wouldn't believe. When I put the windows down it stops, but I can't always drive around with the windows down, so then I revert to turning up the stereo so loud in order to drown out the noise. Mods are in the sig, and I also have a set of Eibach springs to go on as well, but I'm holding out for some Koni reds. . . and even then I might wait until I do a front end rebuild and knock it all out at once.
Am I shooting in the right direction, or should I direct my resources to new weather stripping or something? Any tips to stop this incredibly annoying noise?
P.S. - the harder I push the car, the quieter it gets, but just cruising around at 55mph, it's insane.
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__________________ NEW LO5 = 262 RWHP - 365 RWTQ
OLD LO3 = 180 HP - 263 lb/ft (open element & advanced timing)
Mods: MSD cap, rotor & coil, Global West steering brace, Tokico HP struts & shocks, Pro-kit, Jet Fan Switch, MSD 8.5mm wires, K&N open element, Transgo Shiftkit, Vette Servo, tranny cooler, 6* timing, posi, 3.23 gears, Dynomax cat-back, Stewart Stage 1 WP, Spohn SFC's, LCA's w/ brackets and Panhard Bar, Hooker 2055's, Crane HI-6 ignition, TDS VAFPR, Walbro 190 fuel pump, Crane cam, Trick Flow heads and 2" TBI, EBL, Baer 4 wheel disc kit, 17x8 ROH Snypers and Pirelli PZero Nero's, Comp Magnum 1.6 RR's, Kenwood EZ500 hu
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Does it sound like it is coming from the body flexing? Drive it slowly over speedbumps and see if you can hear it as the body flexes. I f so, add some subframe connectors.
If that isn't it and you suspect some weatherstripping, spray some lube onto the suspect weatherstrip and see if it goes away. if you do it one strip at a time you can narrow it down. That way you avoid buying stuff you don't need. Armor all actually works very well as a weatherstrip lube.
I already have Spohn's SFC and "wonderbar," but I'll try that other stuff and see if I can find the source. It is coming from the t-bar section if that helps any.
Originally posted by Gunny Highway My t-tops squeak like you wouldn't believe.
I have the exact same problem. I have lexon t-tops that have tons of small hairline cracks in them from flexing over time. They are triable! I wish the previous owner keep the glass ones that came with the car. I have subframe connectors also but even driving on a very smooth road and very low speed they squeak like crazy. Basically if my car is moving they are making noise.
I have recently tightened the t-tops by lowering the mounts to fix a water leak problem but that just made the them squeak even more. If you want to quit them down you have to loosen them up by moving up the mounts so there is less pressure on them but this may cause water leak problems.
Mine rattle too, but I don't have SFC's or anything like that yet. I plan on getting them shortly as well as new struts/shocks or whatever these cars have.
89IrocZ, are the mounts the holes that the t-tops connect too? How do you lower/raise them?
Originally posted by GTA matt If that isn't it and you suspect some weatherstripping, spray some lube onto the suspect weatherstrip and see if it goes away. if you do it one strip at a time you can narrow it down. That way you avoid buying stuff you don't need. Armor all actually works very well as a weatherstrip lube.
I agree, you do have to lube your weatherstripping regularly but Armoral is not the best choice, it has been known to actually dry out vinal and rubber. People have claimed that it has cracked their dash though I haven't seen it personally. GM along with numerous others recommend silicone oil to lubricate weatherstripping. I use it, and it works. You can actually see it soak into the weatherstripping, the first time I used it the weatherstripping was so dry it soaked up alomst a whole can. LOL. It got rid of a lot of the squeeks, but you do need to reapply it periodically.
I agree of using silicone lubricant on the weather striping, you definitely need to do that from time to time to keep it from drying out. I really don't think it will do a thing for the squeaking if the t-tops are lexon. My lexon T-tops make so much noise because they have all these hairline cracks in them so even the slightest flew makes they squeak up a storm.
Quote:
Originally posted by BigWhiteGTP 89IrocZ, are the mounts the holes that the t-tops connect too? How do you lower/raise them?
Yea I call the mounts the things the T-top rods go into when you lock them in place. You can raise and lower them by taking off the plastic trim that go over the mounts just a few quick screws to get the trim off. Once the trim is off you will see two adjustment screws on each t-top "mount". Just loosen the 2 screws move the mount and needed and retighten.
Thanks. But what usually helps out more, lowering or raising?
If I'm driving the car and I place my hand on the t-top, I can feel it jumping around because our f-body frames are like steel welded with rubber bands. So if I apply a downward pressure I feel it want to move still but it doesn't. So as horrible with physics and all that "opposite reaction" stuff, should I try lowering them or raising them?
I recently started hearing a squeaking, rattle coming from my right front end and the noise was driving me bezerk! I traced it to the hood where it connects to the body and there are two rubber softeners on either side that had become hard and slick so the hood was rubbing against them. I didn't have any silicone lubricant so I used Vaseline petroleum jelly and the squeaking stopped. What a relief to drive down the road just listening to my engine.
Originally posted by BigWhiteGTP Thanks. But what usually helps out more, lowering or raising?
If you raise the mounts it will make them quieter because there is less pressure on them but it will make them more likely to leak. I had to lower mine because they were leaking which just put them under more pressure and made them creek more.
The real problem is the warn out lexon. Anyone know where you can buy new lexon t-tops?
though I haven't seen it personally. GM along with numerous others recommend silicone oil to lubricate weatherstripping. I use it, and it works. You can actually see it soak into the weatherstripping, the first time I used it the weatherstripping was so dry it soaked up alomst a whole can. LOL. It got rid of a lot of the squeeks, but you do need to reapply it periodically. 
