A squeak that is rapidly getting worse is developing on the Hiace.
Drive straight / brake / bounce the van stationary / turn the steering stationary = No squeak.
BUT, on taking corners at moderate/normal speeds I get a really loud squeaking. at first it was only on left handers, but now its on right handers also. Turning left is much louder though.
Sounds like a bird tweeting or an articulated trailer squeak. Was not originally woried but its got alot worse today over maybe 15 miles.
Had the tracking done 5 days ago but the noise only started yesterday.
It is getting very loud (ie: echoing down the streets)
Has anyone had this problem or can anyone suggest things to investigate?
Any help/suggestions would be appreciated

- (#8777) chris turner, 24 Feb 04 15:32

Dry ball joint? Do yours have grease points?

- (#8777) Clive (Bristol), 24 Feb 04 16:27

Cheers Clive,
I've had the grease nipples in the glove box for about 9 months now - looks like its time to fit them!
I also have front anti roll bushes and D-brackets in the glove box to fit.
However the noise also sounds the same as the power steering squeal that sometimes comes with full lock except it sounds suspension related - ie: responds to small bumps in the road on cornering.
I'll grease up and report back
Thanks for the push

- (#8777) chris turner, 25 Feb 04 04:32

Well, I greased the top balljoints on the wishbones. The other grease points on the engine sides of the 'D' I'll do another day. (it was freezing outside!)
Am I right in assuming nothing can be done for the bottom balljoint?
I have discovered the noise is in fact from the rear, but cannot duplicate it when stationary, which makes it hard to identify exactly what it is.
The nearest to stationary I got was turning a 45 deg angle up a 3 ft steep banking - creeping forward and back hanging out the door listening.
The best analogy is artic trailer squeak. But it only arrives on lateral pressure with motion.
So, , I 'think' its suspension related - but only with heavy sideways pressure.
Any other ideas I could check out?
- (#8777) chris turner, 25 Feb 04 16:18

I'd look at the antiroll bar bushes, or possibly the panhard rod bushes.

- (#8777) david miller, 26 Feb 04 00:22

Hello Chris,
is your Hiace fitted with TEMS suspension?

- (#8777) dave Bright (Bournemouth), 26 Feb 04 00:59

Thanks David,
I'll be under the back tomorrow and check all I can.
Would a silicone spray on the bushes do any harm?
Hi Dave,
TEMS? I dont even have a sunroof! - is it possible for dampers to squeak? I know last year I took a rear one off to check - it had good resistance but made 'fart like' noises. I know which noise I would prefer anouncing my arrival to the street!

- (#8777) chris turner, 26 Feb 04 05:35

Chris

Could be one of a number of suspension components causing the squeak. Silicon spray sounds good. If you want to determine the cause then just one component at a time. If you are sick to death of the noise then go mad and blast everything in sight. Yes the shocks can squeak. The shocks on my car made a hell of a noise until I wiped the pistons and sprayed them with lubricating oil. Also try the joints on the torsion bars (you got these on the HIACE?) behind the flaps behind the shocks.

- (#8777) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 26 Feb 04 07:04

Hi Ian, yes it has torsion bars. Think its pretty similar to the townies regarding front suspension.
Well, just been under armed with a variety of slippery aerosols. Found the problem (bit of a shock).

Rear anti roll bar bush missing and the 'U' cover (holds it to the axle)peeled back like a tin can on the offside.
Done a 'Heath Robinson' (very messy) with some old slit coolant hose and some h/d cable ties. Any other ideas?
On the cd the bits are supercustom specific over a three year period.....so probably a japan order from toyota tomorrow.
Thanks all for the ideas / spurring me on.
The 'virtual' pints have to be on me tonight!

- (#8777) chris turner, 26 Feb 04 15:45

Thought you said it was coming from the front?

I thought the bushes were pretty standard across many Toyotas. I modified some that I mistakenly bought for the rear Townie anti-rollbar and fitted them to the front of my MR2!

They are pretty cheap and readily available from Toyota. If they do end up ordering from Japan make sure you get them to stipulate VOR. Should get them within a week then.

- (#8777) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 27 Feb 04 00:48

Turn those virtual pints into real ones at an Ace Jam :-)

- (#8777) Clive (Bristol), 27 Feb 04 01:43

if you are going to do the rear anti roll bar bushes then i suggest you do the link pins at the same time, the parts required are 2 bolts 2 metal bushes & 2 rubber bushes, the whole lot is less than a tenner

- (#8777) john collier, 28 Feb 04 11:53

Well the temporary bodge held. Got the bits from toyota overnight. They checked their system and yes the bits are supercustom specific over a short period -so think I was lucky to get them so quick. Told that they stock more import specific parts now due to demand.
John, not sure what the link pins are but I'll look into it. It does seem totally solid now though.
The original failure seemed to stem from fracturing around where the bolts covered the clip. Suspect its related to a sticking rear o/s brake last year.
Ace Jam? - definately up for the Southport Woodvale one if Paul's able to do anything. (2nd week of Aug?)

- (#8777) chris turner, 1 Mar 04 05:27