front shocks ripped boot, what to do? pic feedback please?

rainypotato · Post by **rainypotato** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:34 pm

Hello,

The 60km logging road drive was pretty great, love the van. Harvested chanterelles and salmon. A bit of wild mint.

However, the squeak from the driver's side suspension is awful. Finally jacked it up and took a look...ripped boot (completely) and don't know what to do. I am very very remote, but there is a Napa. Quick backyard fixes are my immediate desire, and planning for the longevity of this awesome van a second.

While everything was exposed, I snapped some extra shots of things that may inspire comments.

Yes, I am a noobie, and don't know the names of many things...but I am good with my hands and have some tools.

My red/green idea is to clean everything, find some kind of lube to put everywhere, stich the boot back up if it will move there and hopefully the squeak will subside, and further damage will be delayed.

I suspect that replacing the front shocks (and, not the back for now?) is the reality...so, who has a good idea of what I should order up here? and, feel free to promote your favourite supplier.

thanks y'all

I'll just be outside, cleaning everything very carefully for now

thedjjack · Post by **thedjjack** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:35 pm

cut the boot off you do not need it...

the noise:

bushings control arm
bushings bottom of the shocks (RUBBER fails)
bolts holding front subframe loose
sway bar
loose ball joints

rainypotato · Post by **rainypotato** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:46 pm

Thanks,

I tried moving the tire when jacked, you know, hands top and bottom of tire...no movement...does this mean my ball joints are ok?

it is rubber on the bottom of the shock, but it looks ok, superficial lines, not quite cracks...does a visual inspection rule out them as culprits?

as well, before dismantling everything, is there a visual indicator that the control arm bushings are spent?

I'll try tightening everything, take her for a spin to napa and buy some grease to shoot in the nipples.

thanks again.

yojimbo · Post by **yojimbo** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:08 pm

The red/orange thing is the anti roll bar bush and it should be way tighter, its aftermarket material, as the original is black rubber, and prone to being noisy/squeaky, and will also knock over bumps as its too loose.

rainypotato · Post by **rainypotato** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:46 pm

Thanks yojimbo, i'll try that, i was always suspicious, bought it like that

Post by **Big-Bird** » Sun Oct 14, 2012 11:05 pm

Ball joint testing requires 2 different motions to test for wear.

1 you did by hand while feeling for lateral play.

The second method requires moving the front wheel up and down with a pry bar while the lower control arm is supported with a jack or jack stand. The pry bar test will tell you if the internal ball joint structure is worn out. There should be Zero up and down play in ball joints....when worn excessively they pop and squeak on every oscillation of the suspension. No amount of lube will fix them....thankfull there is ample supply at several JDM importers across the Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria Isl. areas.
And
The red boot is a shock dust boot and that can be cut off with no impact to your shocks performance....however the boot appears to have been coated with oil which would make me want to check the shocks for fluid loss. Youtube 'how to test shocks' if you are unfamiliar with the process.

Suspension Testing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFbb43f ... re=related

Shock test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80C2N9ecSj4

The red bushings are eurethane bushings....you can try tightening the bolt and nut a bit more or you can buy a new set. Red denotes these are made Energy Suspension which is available just about everywhere in North America.

As for the cracking in your CV boot.....duct tape will work to get you home if a rip has occured but a new replacement boot or rebuilt CV axle are your only options. For the time it takes to get a CV axle out you should either replace both boots or just get a rebuilt CV axle.

403delica · Post by **403delica** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 4:58 am

We need a like button for big birds post! You took the words out of my mouth... Or at least off the keyboard :)

Evan

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rainypotato · Post by **rainypotato** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:06 am

Wish i knew how to be notified when someone replies to a post, just getting this now. Good timing however, i sure appreciate the comprehensive info...i can follow these instructions...good stuff.

yojimbo · Post by **yojimbo** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:56 pm

"Subscribe Topic" top left.

rainypotato · Post by **rainypotato** » Thu Feb 21, 2013 2:40 pm

New button awareness, thanks

Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club