Vert Squeaks and Rattles

[Topdowncruise]

I have stiffened up my vert chassis a fair bit with the parts noted in my sig. below.Our streets are bad here with all kinds of pavement breaks due to the hot and cold weather extremes.I was thinking I could stiffen it further by adding the Kenny Brown jacking rails and matrix brace to my subs.The vendor who sells them says adding these parts will stiffen my chassis more but he thinks I will actually get more squeaks and rattles not less.He suggests just getting Tokico Illumina (adjustable) shocks and struts.I have stock shocks and struts as well as stock springs now.Does his advice make sense to you?Any other advice you can offer?

 

[gruvee87vertgt]

I dont believe you will have more squeaks...but if you already have enough bracing I am not sure how going overboared will help?

I would suggest Bliestin shocks with polyurethane ends first.......We both have the same problem...mine squeaks and we have extrme climates...Dealing with it seems like all we can do with it.

 

[Topdowncruise]

So Bilsteins provide a better ride than the adjustable Tokicos?I am after a smoother stable ride with handling secondary as I live in a smaller city with lower speed limits.Maybe I should just buy new stock Ford struts. I am thinking a stiffer suspension should result in more squeaks and rattles. I thought a stiffer chassis would help.Thoughts?

 

[86bluecobra]

where are your squeeks and rattles coming from? Is it possible your spring isolators are worn through and you need to replace them? Maybe you need to grease the front end or maybe if you have uppers and lowers in the rear aftermarket the bushings in those could use some grease?

 

[HISSIN50]

The stock dampers have likely seen better days. Though counterintuitive, fresh dampers (even more performance oriented pieces) can dampen vibrations before they ever reach the rest of the car.

In any case, the stock dampers have likely seen better days. Once you remove the struts, I'd be surprised if they didnt collapse on their own or with little assistance. I'd add that most wear occurs in a very small range, so a strut can feel tight overall, but if it's worn in that one spot where most of the wear occurs, the ride is compromised.

There are no definites, but dampers sound good to me. MHO.

Good luck.

 

[Topdowncruise]

where are your squeeks and rattles coming from? Is it possible your spring isolators are worn through and you need to replace them? Maybe you need to grease the front end or maybe if you have uppers and lowers in the rear aftermarket the bushings in those could use some grease?

They are coming mostly from the top frame over sharp bumps or a series of bumps.The spring isolators have recently been changed to new polyurethanes.The rear upper and lower control arms are stock.
Thanks for the input guys.

 

[86bluecobra]

so its the convertable top that is squeeking? I'm sure you tried oiling all the joints in it already.

 

[r.barn5.0]

mine squeeks and rattles too.
just turn up the radio.

+1 on better shocks and springs. make sure you get
the correct matching pair.
Talk to someone that knows what they're talking about
like MaximumMotorSports and have them put a set
together for you.

 

[Topdowncruise]

mine squeeks and rattles too.
just turn up the radio.

+1 on better shocks and springs. make sure you get
the correct matching pair.
Talk to someone that knows what they're talking about
like MaximumMotorSports and have them put a set
together for you.

I think I will get new struts/shocks but I am not so sure that new springs are necessary especially not shorter ones as I understand they can only make the ride worse (harsher) not better even if they are progressive rate.Which shocks would be a ride improvement over the stock ford struts/shocks or do all the aftermarket shocks make the ride quality worse to improve handling?