Ok I've been driving my car for.about 3 weeks since I rebuilt my whole suspension. I used prothane poly bushings. And all the lubricant it came with but my damn car squeaks everywhere and its soooooo annoying. Does anyone else have the same issue??

The first time I installed poly, I used extra lube. Never had any squeak problems as long as I had the car. (At least another five years.)

I just bought a poly kit for the front of my present car. Also bought extra lube.
The rear got poly with the engine swap. Never has squeaked.

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Raydar
88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550

Praise the Lowered!

I used the prothane kit too, mine has never squeaked...been over 5 years since i installed them.

Have poly in the rear rubber in front. Can't tell any difference. No squeaks or noises of any kind but I do lube them well at installation time.

I have poly all around, handles well, doesn't squeak. I was concerned it would, and a friend of mine who installed poly a few years ago told me spray it down with white lithium grease. Worked for him. I never had to try it, but it's worth a shot.

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Tim
'87 GT Auto
Med Red Metallic
78K miles
Bay City, MI

Ive had poly for a while now and never had one squeak. I honestly hardly used any of the lube that came with it but did put a thin coat of lithium grease on everything when I installed them.

Jason

All poly in the rear, bought and used extra grease, no squeeks, just stiffer ride.

I like it, but I have the greaseable style. I currently have only about 2k or 3k miles on it and have developed a squeak in the front passenger side. I still need to get under it and see if I can easily fix it because not all of the bushings are greaseable.



The car is just a loud interior as you're driving. The squeaking doesn't bother me so much because I know its not hurting anything. I usually have the music up and drive the car kinda hard. Its not my commuter and its old. I take it as part of the car's... charm.

Even if you have the greasable type, I haven't yet seen the very specific poly grease in a grease-gun cartridge yet... only the tiny little tubes. How are you supposed to grease installed bushings with that?

Nope. Twelve years with full poly at all four corners. Love it.

Used extra silicone grease- over a year w/ no squeaks.

-Michael

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"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

He who dies with the most toys... still dies.


My '84 Resto

Red poly verses black poly

I have read reports that the black poly is impregnated with graphite to prevent squeaking. I have read other accounts that the red and black poly are exactly the same, other than the color.

So, what's the scoop? Is there any difference between the two in regards to potential problems with squeaking?

My red poly has been fine over the last 1500 miles or so. I didn't use any of the supplied grease, only the synthetic Valvoline Syn Power, and lots of it.

quote Originally posted by Bloozberry: Even if you have the greasable type, I haven't yet seen the very specific poly grease in a grease-gun cartridge yet... only the tiny little tubes. How are you supposed to grease installed bushings with that?

Blooz, I did this as well. I just use a full synthetic grease. I don't remember where exactly but I read on here that a full synthetic would be compatible with the poly. I made some modifications and checked to make sure the grease was getting all the way to the center sleeve. I also made sure the bushing wouldn't rotate and close up the grease path.

I don't have it in my Fiero but I did for a while in my Trans Am. Hated it. Squeaked non-stop. I could shoot some lube into the joints and quiet it for a month or 2 but it would come back. I won't use it again. I'll use steel shell/derlin with lube points on all suspension components in the future. But that's just one guy.

I have the WCF poly suspension bushings which have grease fittings and channels and I have no squeaks.

Poly in my 88 for at least 10 years and the only squeaking I hear is my bones getting older as I get in and out of the car.

I have the red Polly on my car. I used extra lube and had squeaks from the get go. Loved the ride but hated then noise. After a few runs it got better and now only makes noise whe it is cold. I have also heard about a product clawless creep that helps

quote Originally posted by Jefrysuko: I just use a full synthetic grease. I don't remember where exactly but I read on here that a full synthetic would be compatible with the poly. I made some modifications and checked to make sure the grease was getting all the way to the center sleeve. I also made sure the bushing wouldn't rotate and close up the grease path.

Many "full synthetic" lube still uses same ingredients, some even more than dyno lube, to keep seal soft etc and can cause problems for polly.

Main problem is the "wrong" lube can harden the polly that leads to cracking etc...

Use a small or normal gun and hand pack it w/ silicone grease.
To made hand pack easier, put a soda straw in first to let air out.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Red poly verses black poly I have read reports that the black poly is impregnated with graphite to prevent squeaking. I have read other accounts that the red and black poly are exactly the same, other than the color. So, what's the scoop? Is there any difference between the two in regards to potential problems with squeaking?

According to these guys, black Prothane is still not graphite impregnated:
http://www.suspension.com/fiero-prothane.html

But Energy Suspension black is:
http://www.suspension.com/chevy,camaro.htm

They primarily stock black ES bushings for most cars because of this.
Unless something has changed, Energy Suspension doesn't make bushings for the Fiero other than the sway bar. That's probably the only reason their site lists Prothane bushings, otherwise they're mainly an Energy Suspension dealer. So their opinion of the graphite issue might just be dealer bias, but I worry it could be the truth.

Even so, when I finally get around to doing my control arms I'll get the black just in case it helps. Red is too flashy anyway. But I'd be more confident if ES would make our bushings.

[This message has been edited by armos (edited 06-04-2012).]

I just know I used a ton of grease and they're annoying as can be I'm half tempted to pull em out and buy rubber instead. I've had poly on a previous vehicle and never had a sound.

It has been suggested to run a tap through the center of the bushings to create a space for the lube to sit and not get pressed out. I'm gonna try it on my install.

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Jonathan
23K mile '85 notchie w/ 88 cradle, '87 2.8/Getrag, Air, PW, PDL, PM - Still under construction
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/121056.html
I'm not a mechanic but I play one in my garage - me
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely - Lord Acton
Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not - Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants - Thomas Jefferson

Sorry bud. Red poly here 4x4 and no squeaks after 30k miles.

Have you tried lifting one side and moving one wheel up and down to try and isolate the problem to a corner?
Inspect for proper torque, as I had one lower control arm with a loose bolt that allowed the bushing to rotate and squeak.
After torquing, it quit squeaking... Now, if I can get riders from screaming when I corner... I love four wheel drift!

I made mine grease-able. I bought them from prothane, red. Poly grease is available in tubes, I have one to grease mine. Here: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PTP-19-1751/ (I actually got it from a local race shop in Canada, but I'm pretty sure I used that part #)

Was it necessary to make them grease-able? I have no idea but I never have to worry about them squeaking.

If you want to make them grease-able you have to do a little work to do it correctly. I do have some pictures and info if anyone wants it. Basically the main part is you have to grove the metal pin that goes inside the bushings.

Also read ogre's cave, there's an article in there explaining why only part of the bushing should rotate.

[This message has been edited by bnevets27 (edited 06-05-2012).]

quote Originally posted by bnevets27: I made mine grease-able. I bought them from prothane, red. Poly grease is available in tubes, I have one to grease mine. Here: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PTP-19-1751/ (I actually got it from a local race shop in Canada, but I'm pretty sure I used that part #) Was it necessary to make them grease-able? I have no idea but I never have to worry about them squeaking. If you want to make them grease-able you have to do a little work to do it correctly. I do have some pictures and info if anyone wants it. Basically the main part is you have to grove the metal pin that goes inside the bushings. Also read ogre's cave, there's an article in there explaining why only part of the bushing should rotate.

Please do post some info and pics. I bought a full Prothane kit half a year ago and only got around to install the dogbone ones. Probably gonna do it all this summer.

please post away i would love rodney e aluminum ones but poly is so much cheaper i would like some info on the both to make up my mind better

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"Speed costs money. How fast do you wanna go?"

The only reason I hate my current poly bushings is because they are still on the shelf and not installed.

I had them on my last 88 for 5 years & 40K miles w/o issue, but I used anti-seize for the lubricant vs. grease.

This is an excerpt from another post I made
"I see you already have the poly in, but I glued the front bushings in. The rears where tight enough for me but I found the fronts where able spin too easily. At the very least, don't grease between the bushing and the metal sleeve. I also sand basted the outside of the poly bushings to give them a rough finish, so they would have a grip better on the metal sleeve. The reasons behind all that is in the ogre cave.

I also installed grease fittings so that I could easily add grease to the bushings when ever I needed to. The way I did it was, find a good angle and space for the grease fitting on the metal sleeve. With the metal bushing installed into the poly, I drilled down and made a dimple in the metal bushing and then I marked each bushings location.( I gave each bushing a number, as you can see the scribed 12) I then made a grove about the width of the grease fitting in the metal bushing in the middle of where the dimple was made. The grove is so that the grease gets all the way around. It works really well."

"For the grease fittings, I did them after mine were powered coated. Drilling the hole is pretty easy, just center punch first. And make sure you put them in a way that you can get to them when they are installed on the car. The part that needs to be done is the grooving of the metal bushing, if that isn't done then its pretty much a waste of time. I did mine on a lathe, obviously the easiest way but if you can't get to a lathe there are a few other ways to do it. A pic of my metal bushings grooved is bellow."

There is already "horizontal" groves in the poly itself. The grove cut into the metal bushing allows the grease to go down all of the groves. I didn't have a pic of the groves in the poly so I borrowed one. Don't have pics of the grease fittings in the control arms but there's not really much to see there.

Clear as mud?

quote Originally posted by armos: According to these guys, black Prothane is still not graphite impregnated: http://www.suspension.com/fiero-prothane.html But Energy Suspension black is: http://www.suspension.com/chevy,camaro.htm They primarily stock black ES bushings for most cars because of this. Unless something has changed, Energy Suspension doesn't make bushings for the Fiero other than the sway bar. That's probably the only reason their site lists Prothane bushings, otherwise they're mainly an Energy Suspension dealer. So their opinion of the graphite issue might just be dealer bias, but I worry it could be the truth. Even so, when I finally get around to doing my control arms I'll get the black just in case it helps. Red is too flashy anyway. But I'd be more confident if ES would make our bushings.

Interesting information. Thank-you.

quote Originally posted by mcgavin: I like it, but I have the greaseable style. I currently have only about 2k or 3k miles on it and have developed a squeak in the front passenger side. I still need to get under it and see if I can easily fix it because not all of the bushings are greaseable. The car is just a loud interior as you're driving. The squeaking doesn't bother me so much because I know its not hurting anything. I usually have the music up and drive the car kinda hard. Its not my commuter and its old. I take it as part of the car's... charm.

You need to buy yourself an old type grease gun, one where the rear unscrews and you fill the canister buy hand, Such as the link below..

http://www.northerntool.com...=pla&ci_kw={ keyword}

[This message has been edited by Francis T (edited 06-05-2012).]

10+ years and no squeak. Grease nipples fitted to all poly bushes and each year I flush the grease (teflon) through with my Fiero specific flexi-nozzled grease gun.

I used red prothane - - the Fierostore's "Total Poly Kit"... Used lots of grease. Had some squeaks that went away on their own in two years or so..

If you want a stiff ride, by all means go with polyurethane.

As for me, I hate poly bushings! I have, one by one, changed most of them back to rubber. I don't know what the durometer of red Prothane is, but it is some hard stuff.

YMMV. To each his own and certainly different bushings suit certain applications. But if you have a basically stock Fiero and intend to keep the ride basically stock, IMO stick with rubber.

[This message has been edited by Fierotoyboy (edited 06-19-2012).]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PTP-19-1751/

I used this stuff (same stuff as in the little packets that come with the poly) when I put poly in the rear of my '86 GT a few years ago and still no squeaks. I put the rest of the tube in my grease gun so I can grease the bushings if need be. Luckily, so far there's been no need.

I know Rodney sells the Black Poly Engine/Trans mounts. Does anyone have a source for a Red Poly Mount Set. You would think Prothane would finish the vehicle set......

I'm reposting to say I now have minimal squeaking after 10k+ miles and only when it's around or below freezing. I used all the Prothane heavy duty silicone grease packets and then some dielectric silicone grease. The dielectric silicone grease is not quite as heavy as the stuff from Prothane, but it's still a heavy duty silicone. I was sure to be liberal with the grease. I made no grooves in the bushings and I put no grease fittings on the sleeves. I'll update if I ever have much squeeking problems, but I wonder if the modifications might not help. Granted, I don't drive the car too hard, only drifted a couple times.

Perhaps if you really work your suspension it will squeak more. On that note, the condition of shocks/ struts and springs might affect it. I have KYB's that were new w/ the suspension (same 10k+) on allegedly stock springs. Front is insanely stiff (I think a previous owner changed these, although they had GM labeling on them before I powder-coated them. Stiff would seem to mean less movement, less movement would mean less wear on bushings/grease. This would seem to favor less squeaking.

Two more cents,
Michael

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"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

He who dies with the most toys... still dies.


My '84 Resto

I have put many a mile on my car and have had a few squeaks from time to time.
Make sure your end washers are lubed as this is the most common squeak offender.
One over looked area are the sway bar bushings so be sure to lube them.
For a quick fix I spray WD40 on all my bushings when doing regular maintenance and in the spring.

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Red 1988 GT 5 speed
Poly all around, Koni's & Lowered
LQ1 powered
3800 swap in progress
http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/CC_Rider/

Never used it on a fiero yet, but soon...

I use poly specifically because I don't have a press. I can change poly myself, and very easy after the first set. I remember when I was into bmw's there was a ton of delrin available too. never see it for the fiero though.

Every car I have used poly on squeaks a little, some alot. but it gets cold here and that cant help. It's worth the trade of squeak& harsh for me to be able to complete the job in my garage. If I ever get a press I will never use poly again.
no matter what, its still a wear item.

I have one Fiero that I have put about 100,000 miles on in the last couple of years. I live in AZ and work in CA.

I have full poly suspension on it. I used a lot of graphite lubrication. I purchased a 16oz container of graphite lube.
I used more lube on a single bushing than is contained in the bushing kit.

I have not had any squeaking.

I have a Fiero that I purchased that came with a full poly suspension form the PO. That car squeaked like crazy.

Has anybody else who used a LOT of graphite lube had any squeaking problems?

I got the idea to use a lot of graphite because I read several posts were people mentioned that they were squeak free when installing poly bushings
with lots of graphite lube. This seems to be especially true for the front end.

It may be that using an excess of graphite lube will take care of squeaking.

[This message has been edited by pdemondo (edited 01-16-2013).]

I bought this kit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO...em53e2f25794&vxp=mtr

Are they greasable? And if not should I install the dimples for greasing anyway?