Formula.. so 88 suspension, all stock, whenever an abrupt bump is hit the rear suspension squeaks, like a chirp sound. Seems like drivers side. Sounds like maybe metal on metal. Can't re- create it in the garage. The struts are original with 76k on them but great shape.
Any ideas?

I have an 88 Formula which suffers the same symptom. There is a useful article by Jeff Reuter of the Michigan Fiero club which explains the problem and suggests solutions. See http://www.michiganfieroclu...les/88suspension.pdf

Good luck!

Exhaust hangers? They have a tendency to chirp over bumps, especially after aging and getting a bit of surface rust on the springs and the contact areas.

quote Originally posted by br1anstorm: I have an 88 Formula which suffers the same symptom. There is a useful article by Jeff Reuter of the Michigan Fiero club which explains the problem and suggests solutions. See http://www.michiganfieroclu...les/88suspension.pdf Good luck!

Thank you!

It says:
"The source of the annoying chirp is the sway bar bushings. In the
1988 model year, the Formula and GT models were equipped with
front and rear sway bars. The factory bushings degrade over time
and tend to dry up."

I will try silicone spray on the bushings 1st. I seem to currently only have the sounds coming from teh drivers side rear.

Hmmm, revisiting this. I took off the body mount sway bar bushings and have replacements on order. I drove the car around a bit with the body mounts for the sway bar off, so there should be no "torquing" of the sway bar with only the end links hooked up.

It still chirps!

If it is an exhaust hanger I wonder what can be done about it? Trying to recreate it in the garage has proven very difficult (hasn't happened yet).

Maybe you should disconnect the shocks and drive around next.

just curious if you noticed any handling difference with the sway bar disconnected.

quote Originally posted by Gall757: Maybe you should disconnect the shocks and drive around next. just curious if you noticed any handling difference with the sway bar disconnected.

Yea, it kinda felt like my 2m4 which has no rear sway bar. However I did not push it by cornering hard or anything

Remove the bar and links entirely. Also make sure the really long bolts are tight.

My Formula has not what I'd call a "chirping" sound, but a clicking sound. Could the sound you hear be interpreted as a clicking sound? Curious.

Ken

quote Originally posted by kennn: My Formula has not what I'd call a "chirping" sound, but a clicking sound. Could the sound you hear be interpreted as a clicking sound? Curious. Ken

No, really a very short loud sqeak, or loud chirp is the best way I can describe it. Does your click happen when you hit an abrupt bump such as a pothole, or crack such as uneven roadway, and come from the rear of the car? Thats when mine does it.
Clicking could be brake pads jiggling...

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 06-21-2011).]

Well even if it's not torquing, the links will still move up and down. Shoot some silicone spray on the links and find out!

[This message has been edited by NullHead (edited 06-21-2011).]

Im having the similar thing happening to my 86gt in the front with is annoying but has all newer poly bushings. Although they are newer my beliefs is that its my bushings needing a slight bit of grease also see if there is any play in your strut mounts with is kinda that annoying sound aswell. If you jack the car up see if the tops move alot.

I had this problem months ago with my 88GT. I changed all the rear suspension link bushings and installed 2 monroe sensa-trac struts. The chirpping sound is gone.

You have to realize that my fiero had the original old bushings and struts. Make sure when you installed new poly bushings, grease the bushing surfaces very well. Get some extra poly grease. I did. Do it right the first time so you won't have to re-grease the whole set-up.

For the 88 struts assembly, I used 2 ratchet straps to compress the spring to install the strut. No need to get / buy a strut compressor tool.

------------------
fierogt28

88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. All original.

quote Originally posted by NullHead: Well even if it's not torquing, the links will still move up and down. Shoot some silicone spray on the links and find out!

Been there and done that a few times already, no difference.

Try wiggling your tail pipe to check exhaust hanger springs. EDIT: With cold engine.

[This message has been edited by 1fatcat (edited 06-22-2011).]

quote Originally posted by 1fatcat: Try wiggling your tail pipe to check exhaust hanger springs. EDIT: With cold engine.

Tried that to, no noise. Suppose could be sway bar links not sure how as they'd have to twist to get any sound...

I think you have too much faith in your good looking struts. There are all kinds of little parts that could chirp inside those things.

Maybe it's itching noise from the trunk lid rubbing somewhere? Or the luvers? Try removing luvers and prop trunk partially open with 2x4, then tie trunk down tight to the board and go for a drive?

Chirp on compression of the 88 rear suspension? It's the original factory struts.

It's not sway bar bushings.
It's not exhaust hangers.
It's not brake pads.
It's not parrots.

It's the struts.

They work fine, but they "CHIRP!!"

FTF E