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9/21/2018 10:09 AM  #1


1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

anyone have any feedback on what would cause deep creaking when the suspension "flexes".  it only occurs when Accelerating, braking Maybe but theres a lot more noises (engine, tires and exuast when moving).....

the vehicle did it when I purchased it 13yrs ago with blown shocks and spring all around...So I was excited to get ALL NEW knowing it would cure the noises....It Did Not!  it was identical.....

it is very loud and Deep Creaks....

help?
regards, Jeff

 

9/21/2018 11:15 AM  #2


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Your car is 59 years old and is a unibody.  It squeeks.


Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
 

9/21/2018 11:17 AM  #3


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Where do you hear the noise.... Front or back?

 

9/21/2018 12:32 PM  #4


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Do you have polyurethane shackles or spring eye bushings?  When I fist bought my car it had poly shackles on it.  It felt and sounded like there was a pile of chains on top of the bare gas tank than were banging up and down on every little bump.  One of the best days of my life was the day I replaced those polyurethane shackles with some stockers.  No more noise!  Except for the front spring eye bushings... Those make some creaking, but they do not move near as much as the rear shackles do.

Stock rubber bushings are not really "track friendly", but I am betting the rest of the car is built for the street, so make it as comfortable as you can.

If you don't have poly, then check the wheel bearings.  The first thing I do when I buy any old car is to replace wheel bearings and brakes.  Rear wheel bearings can make some pretty horrific noises if they get dried out.

The next most likely thing is upper control arm bushings.  They are metal to metal and when they get dry, it can make some really loud screaching sounds.  Ditto (but not as bad) for ball joints.
 


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

9/21/2018 2:53 PM  #5


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

I had a similar issue with my 66. I have an 8” rear axle with 2” lowering blocks. It takes some occasional  maintenance to keep the u bolts tight with the aluminum blocks. When they work loose the creaking starts.


"anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
 

9/21/2018 2:55 PM  #6


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Check to insure the U-bolts attaching the axle to the shock plates are nice & tight!
Front....Monte Carlo bar and export bar make a huge dif in the flexing of the front end.
Just a couple
6sally6 


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

9/22/2018 5:33 AM  #7


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

MS wrote:

Do you have polyurethane shackles or spring eye bushings?  When I fist bought my car it had poly shackles on it.  It felt and sounded like there was a pile of chains on top of the bare gas tank than were banging up and down on every little bump.  One of the best days of my life was the day I replaced those polyurethane shackles with some stockers.  No more noise!  Except for the front spring eye bushings... Those make some creaking, but they do not move near as much as the rear shackles do.

Stock rubber bushings are not really "track friendly", but I am betting the rest of the car is built for the street, so make it as comfortable as you can.

If you don't have poly, then check the wheel bearings.  The first thing I do when I buy any old car is to replace wheel bearings and brakes.  Rear wheel bearings can make some pretty horrific noises if they get dried out.

The next most likely thing is upper control arm bushings.  They are metal to metal and when they get dry, it can make some really loud screaching sounds.  Ditto (but not as bad) for ball joints.
 

Poly sway bar bushings also make noise.  Drove me nuts for years (I thought it was the upper control arms needing grease but never got it to stop) until one day I noticed that the previous owner had put poly bushings on the sway bar inside the clamps holding it to the frame.  Took them out, greased them up and no more creaking.


Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
 

9/22/2018 6:22 AM  #8


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Thanks ms everyone.  I always underestimate how experienced and knowledgeable everyone is, then I leave out details .

So:
Noise is ONLY Rear. (random clunk or creak, crank ect from front end spring binding or whatever). But the Consistent DEep Creaking is the Rear during acceleration.

The car was doing all this Ore New Suspension (1in lowering setup, 5 leaf spring setup and POST. It was identical after it left the shop. 

I don't believe it's Poly, I remember the price tag scaring me, but not certain. Seems irrelevant given the statement prior with Pre/Post.

I will check ubolts, but I did buy a new set yeara ago thinking they could be the culprit. Does anyone have a Torque Spec, with the fine thread I didn't want to over tighten. 

I also have the Shelby torque bars. Was getting wheel hop even with the 5band leafs, was also hoping those were going to eliminate the Deep Loud Creaking

     Thread Starter
 

9/22/2018 12:58 PM  #9


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

M1Mustang69 wrote:

Thanks ms everyone.  I always underestimate how experienced and knowledgeable everyone is, then I leave out details .

So:
Noise is ONLY Rear. (random clunk or creak, crank ect from front end spring binding or whatever). But the Consistent DEep Creaking is the Rear during acceleration.

The car was doing all this Ore New Suspension (1in lowering setup, 5 leaf spring setup and POST. It was identical after it left the shop. 

I don't believe it's Poly, I remember the price tag scaring me, but not certain. Seems irrelevant given the statement prior with Pre/Post.

I will check ubolts, but I did buy a new set yeara ago thinking they could be the culprit. Does anyone have a Torque Spec, with the fine thread I didn't want to over tighten. 

I also have the Shelby torque bars. Was getting wheel hop even with the 5band leafs, was also hoping those were going to eliminate the Deep Loud Creaking

 
According to my 66 ford shop manual 30-45 ft/lbs


"anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
 

9/22/2018 2:50 PM  #10


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

lowercasesteve wrote:

Your car is 59 years old and is a unibody.  It squeeks.

Most of the creaking I get in my car are from my old bones! 


Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
 

9/23/2018 6:09 AM  #11


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

This Is frustrating.....its the first thing people notice when they go in it......rather embarrassing......I wouldnt mind if it were intermittent or not quite as loud, but its so deep, loud and consistent (every single Accel) its nonsense....People outside the car hear it and comment

     Thread Starter
 

9/23/2018 10:22 AM  #12


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Could the new bushings be poly and just look like rubber?  Aren’t some of them black now?
Are the shock mounts intact where they attach to the frame? No cracks or distortions?
Are the leaf spring attaching points to the frame also intact with no cracks or distortions? I had a front leaf spring mount tear away from the frame and needed a good rewelding once.
If the creaking noises are the same after a suspension replacement I would look at some part of the rear unibody wanting to do its own thing and not be part of the team anymore. A good light in a dark garage with a friend might be able to find split seems, cracked welds or something not attached to where it should be.


'66 Fastback since July 27, 1981. Springtime Yellow, originally a 200 cu in, 4 speed. Also a '92 LX Coupe, 5.0, 5 speed.
 

9/23/2018 6:02 PM  #13


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

The front bushing on the left rear spring squeaks and always has.  It is supposed to be rubber. None of the other bushings squeak.  Drives me nuts, but I am not ready to pull it yet.  It's only been 10 years!


Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
 

9/24/2018 5:55 AM  #14


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Since you replaced all the stuff that normally squeaks and you have the same problem, it may be time to start looking at other things that move when you get into the car.  Maybe you can start by having a helper outside the car try to isolate the location of the sound while you get in/out or bounce the car.  The driveshaft could possibly be the issue (you can disconnect the rear of the driveshaft from the differential pretty easily to see if that helps).


Founding Member of the Perpetually Bewildered Society
 

9/26/2018 12:04 PM  #15


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Any chance your rear shackle bushing mounts in the frame rail are rusted out?  Or shafkle hitting the rear galance or tailpipe?

I don’t think I ever read whether the shackle bushings are rubber or not?  They can make huge noise if poly.  The rears experience alot more rotation than the front eye.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

9/26/2018 3:54 PM  #16


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Do the WD-40 regimen.   Spray one area where you think its creaks and drive.  If stops you figured out where the problem is.  Still creaks spray in another area and give it a try.  

 

9/26/2018 4:48 PM  #17


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

Any idea if your car was ever hit/wrecked?  If so, something could be tweaked.....
If you put your knee on the rear bumper and bounce the car, can you hear the creaking?
Might consider loosening the leaf spring front eye bolts and bounce the car to see if the noise is still present...
Have you looked closely at the metal area where the top of the rear shock absorber mounts....that area can fatigue and develop cracks resulting in a creaking noise....
Just spit balling here but, trying to help you narrow this down....
Good luck...

 

 

9/26/2018 6:01 PM  #18


Re: 1969 FB rear Suspension DEEP CREAKING....All replaced same result

My though of the creaking is something in the unibody, a crack or something. I'm not a big fan of the Shelby traction bars. I've never used them or have experience with them. What I don't like is they form a trapezoid with the leaf springs. It's not if but when it put the suspension into a bind and I can't help but to wonder if this is the source


I'm not a complete idiot.....pieces are missing. Tom
 

Board footera


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