Squeaking after camber arm install

1943 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Red_Hood, Jun 1, 2022

tonelove

Discussion Starter · May 17, 2021

Wassup guys, so yesterday I installed some Megan Racing Camber arms on my 2007 mazda 3 sedan & the process was brutal (for the passenger rear at least lmao.) After I finished I took it for a spin and everything seemed good until later that night. Cruising speeds, the car sounds fine but when going slower on bumpy roads or up onto my driveway it sounds bad. Today I loosened the bolts and then retighten then completely by hand and it seems like it help a little bit but it still squeaks. Anyone have a similar issues or have any suggestions on what I can try? Thanks guys

Save

1 - 5 of 9 Posts

tonelove

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2021

RocketmanKarl said:
All of the suspension arm bolts should only be tightened once the car is setting on the ground (or at least at normal ride height). If you tightened them when the car was up on jackstands, the suspension was fully extended. Once the car is lowered, the movement of the suspension will put some twist on the rubber bushings. That might be the source of your squeaking.

The camber arm bolts are about impossible to reach while the car is on the ground. So you need to get the suspension flexed to normal ride height while the car is up on jackstands. What I do is to put a jack under the suspension and lift up the suspension until the car just comes off the jackstand on that corner. Then tighten the bolts.

Another thing I always do is put anti-seize on the smooth area of the bolt and a bit of blue thread locker on the threads. I've had to cut too many bolts rusted into the bushing sleeve (frankly 1 is too many).

Today I did loosen the bolts and put some load but I think I didnt put enough. I’ll definitely do it again & also as some anti-seize and thread locker. Thanks so much, i’ll update as soon as I can

Save

tonelove

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 23, 2021

Update****

So yesterday I took the arms off and reinstalled them making sure to put them under load to the point were the car was lifted off the support stand & it no longer squeaked or screeched for the rest of the evening and for most of today but then the squeaking returned 20 min after I started driving again. I’m so confused on why this is happening the bolts went in very smoothly and not forced. The bushings are perfectly fine and the arms look brand new as they are. Any more tips or suggestions?

Save

tonelove

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 23, 2021

arathol said:
Grease.....

i used white lithium grease as well and maybe that’s why i didnt squeak again but wouldn’t that just be a temp solution as it squeaked after a few hours even with grease? i’m honestly going to take them apart again when i can and do all the preventative maintain i can. it’s frustrating since i’ve gone at it multiple times doing it seemingly the right way

Save

tonelove

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 23, 2021

arathol said:
Use the proper silicone grease. White lithium grease is not going to work very well.

will do. buying some tomorrow and taking them apart hopefully for the last time

Save

1 - 5 of 9 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month