mike3md Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hello, I have recently fitted new rear uprated springs + dampers to the 4, together with rear link polybushes. I am now getting a lot of groaning and squeaking from the rear suspension, which I can hear even when at rest and using pushing down on the wings. I also replaced the vertical damper links. Advice is to oil the springs (which I used to do occasionally on the 3), but there seem to be 2 schools of thought, as others suggest no lube to keep a damping effect from the friction. Before I set about the task, what's the view? Cheers Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) I'm from the "no-lube on leaf springs" persuasion .... Several discussions can be found on the net about this, especially for prewar cars where the exact question is "should I pack grease on the springs before wrapping them mummy-style ?" In a nutshell, a majority of cons, very few pros. Badfrog Edited August 23, 2011 by Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Icarus60 Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 There may be a compromise solution. The gaps between the springs are great at drawing in water by capillary attraction causing some rusting on the leaf surface and causing squeaking. However the gaps are equally good at drawing in old warm engine oil which wets out the rusty bits and and gets rid of the squeak. It costs next to nothing to do with an old paint brush at each oil change, with the rear wheels off the ground and the chassis on axle stands. Get rid of the squeak, and then assess the damping, would be my approach. Regards Gerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
North London Mike Posted August 22, 2011 Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hello, I have recently fitted new rear uprated springs + dampers to the 4, together with rear link polybushes. I am now getting a lot of groaning and squeaking from the rear suspension, which I can hear even when at rest and using pushing down on the wings. I also replaced the vertical damper links. Advice is to oil the springs (which I used to do occasionally on the 3), but there seem to be 2 schools of thought, as others suggest no lube to keep a damping effect from the friction. Before I set about the task, what's the view? Cheers Mike Hi Mike What you doing this far from home? Rear springs, like Badfrog, no lube, no problem...................(which I know doesn't help ) Trouble is there is far too much going on at the back, springs, shackles, dampers, chassis, bushes etc, perm any 3 from 5 It may work itself out on its own, is it getting better or worse ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3md Posted August 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2011 Just checked the repro ST lube chart for TR4 & TR4A I bought at Harrogate (which was still rolled up in the cardboard tube), and there at the bottom it says: Every 12,000 miles ROAD SPRINGS. Relieve the weight from the rear springs and apply CASTROL PENETRATING OIL with spray. Alternatively ENGINE OIL may be brushed on. Ensure oil does not contact rubber-bushed shackles. Maybe the squeaking will go away on its own...... Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I don't know about the groaning, but the squeaking is probably (at least in part) down to the polybushes. I've had squeaks since the rebuild but after 13,000 miles, I still haven't got around to giving them a dose of PTFE spray. IMHO it's a waste of time eliminating some non-serious noises from a TR as you will just hear the next one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MadMarx Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 I use each year old gearbox oil on the leaves. My guess is that it is better than old engine oil as it is less corrosive. Cheers Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Tony Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 I agree with Chris, brush on stinky old gearbox oil to the sides and ends of the leaves .... having said that my new ones dont squeak, probably because of the metal quality and the thick paint on them. So maybe works too. I also find that a squirt of waxoyl on the ends seems to work, without getting horribly messy. Perhaps though, you ought to look at all the various bushes at the ends and on the links, loose things and anything in contact first. If the eye bushes in particular have been installed with washing up liquid or similar (to make it easy) which has dried out and left the SALT in there, they will moan like a Post Office queue. Regards Tonyt Regards Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike3md Posted August 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Thanks everybody. I have ensured the shackle polybushes were assembled with the jam like grease they came with, but it still creaks, so the next step are the springs, keeping it off the front bushing. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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