Monday :: 08 February 2010 :: 09:05 PM
320 days to Christmas!
Rear Suspension Squeak Removal
Tools: Yes, this is all you need! If you don't have a square, something as simple as the flap from a cardboard box will do. Most of them are cut pretty square.
1 Hammer
1 Square
The Culprit: Located behind the rear wheels, clamped around the springs.
The Reason: Given the amount of force it takes to move the shackles, I'd have to bet they are off from the factory. Being said, the springs continually rub against the wear block and in turn create a smooth spot on the wear block which begins to squeak.
The Remedy: Crawl underneath with the previously mentioned tools. Once there, you'll see the spring shackle and it's mounting rivet. As you can see with mine, it was way out of square. The red arrow points to the gap between where square with the spring would be and where the shackle actually is. We're going to influence the shackle to square up to the spring by using the hammer and hitting it where the yellow arrow shows (corner farthest away from the square).
The Goal: After a few hits, the shackle should begin to move. It will pivot around the mounting rivet. Ideally, you want it square as this will give the most room between the wear blocks. Hopefully, your squeak is gone. While yer on your back, might as well check the other side.
The Result: As you can see, the shackle is nice and square. Next step is a quick shake of the bed or a short drive. Hopefully, you can now stop wearing your earplugs or at the very least, turn the volume of the radio down a bit.
Random Humor: Frivilous Old Gal
I have become a little older since I saw you last and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly, I have become a frivilous old gal. I am seeing five gentlemen each day:
Will Power helps get me out of bed;
Then I go see John. What a relief!;
Then, Charlie Horse comes along and he takes a lot of my time and attention;
After a while, Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place, so he takes me from joint to joint!;
After such a busy day, I'm really glad to rest with Ben Gay;
Oh yes, I am flirting with Al Zymer, too.
Love, Grandma
PS: The preacher stopped by the other day. He said at my age, I should be thinking of the hereafter. I told him I think of that all the time. I said, "No matter where I am, in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen or down in the basement, I end up asking myself, 'Now, what am I here after?'"