Squeak from rear suspension

[Michael Dunn]

I had Parabolic Springs & Gaz shocks front & rear fitted earlier this year on my 1974 Roadster. Squeak has appeared from rear as suspension goes up/down.
Tried lubricating all rubber bushes and points along parabolic springs.
I am very happy with this change in the suspension, but what can be causing this squeak?

Mike Dunn- Towcester

[Dave Linkson]

Found this report about Leaf Spring Lubrication.....

Once I started using the V8 in mainly dry weather the rear springs started squeaking quite badly, which had the Navigator complaining. I didn't want to spray oil on them as I was concerned for the rubber bushes at each end, particularly the front bush which is a lot more difficult to change than the rear bushes, so decided to use Waxoyl which doesn't harm rubber. Waxoyl is also much less likely to get washed out from between the springs when Vee does get wet, like on organised runs!
I actually painted it on semi-congealed rather than as a liquid suitable for spraying, then used a hot air gun to melt it whereupon most of it was absorbed into the gaps between leaves and interleaving and little dripped off. At first it didn't seem to have made much difference, but then over a bit of driving it seems to have 'worked in' and they have definitely become much quieter and now I can't say that I notice them at all and neither has the Navigator commented recently. It would have been much easier to apply with the springs removed from the car and laying on their sides, but a much bigger job overall of course.

In response to a question on a Bulletin Board I mentioned this but another contributor said he didn't like Waxoyl because it dried out. In my experience whilst it does 'dry' in that the white spirit that makes it liquid evaporates it leaves behind the waxy stuff which if you rub it between your finger tips is still slippery i.e. does still lubricate, and as I say is much less likely to get washed out than oil or even grease. And being drier it will pick up less dirt and grit.

[Jim Haines]

Did you fit new shackles and/or pins - could they be worn, and perhaps moving in an incorrect plane at any point?
If you really do have rubber bushes fitted this may be the problem. Try fitting a more modern type - I did, and I don't have any noise, albeit I stayed with conventional leaf springs.