Does greasing the outer shell of the lower suspension arm (front console bush) powerflex result in excessive movement of the front suspension, ie less cushioning/ dampening?

 

My Fabia vrs 1 has groaning or squeaking noise from the front end. All suspension parts were replaced with genuine over last 1.5 yr . It happens over speed bumps at low speed. Symptoms since cupra bushes and powerflex front suspension arm bush installed. 

 

I assumed the symptoms are due to the harshness of the solid rubber cupra rear of front console bush. 

 

Bouncing the front end I see the lower suspension arm moving down and up rather more than I would expect.

 

Are these console bushes designed to bind in place and twist when the suspension moves up and down? I thought the front console bush would dampened movement in the front / back axis and side to side axis only?

 

I ask now, because whilst doing a suspension overall on an Astra I bought some Whiteline polyurethane bushes already installed in the wishbone along with the riveted ball joint as it is on the Astra h. The instructions clearly state, unlike the powerflex ones (none supplied) , that the grease supplied must not be applied to the outer shell in contact with the metal of the console they are inserted into. It does not state why.

 

Others on some forums have suggested PU squeak a lot and should be lubed all over, not just the inner bore and front and back sides (flanges).

 

I lubed pretty much everything when installed...

 

I was going to dowse the bushes in situ with silicone spray to quieten the noise, but now afraid this will further 'loosened up' the suspension noises.  Someone suggested the bush will actnmuch like a bearing instead.

 

Car is great on corners and on road , it's just over speed bumps. The car sounded a bit better in colder weather, or rather delayed these noises being heard over the same bumps.

 

Is it worth pulling the wishbone out from the front and removing the lube ? I suspect I will not been able to without undoing ball joint bracket and upsetting tracking.

 

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

On another subject does the Fabia have directional brake pads? Thanks

 

Edited 5 April, 20206 yr by bmbmdmb

Just lube any PU bushes, it won't be the Cupra bushes, they're rubber. It's more likely to be the FARB bushes than anything else if they're also PU.

56 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

It's more likely to be the FARB bushes than anything else if they're also PU

Yes, also PU , but this was done 6months prior to the cupra console bush and the front wishbone bush.

It also was lubed up. I can see the supplied grease squeezed out between the arb and the bush.

 

Give it a squirt of silicone spray or disassemble and relube?

 

Try silicone spray on one item at a time so you can isolate which are the noisy culprits.