Adjustable tension rods squeaking.....are they binding?

[tmwnn]

I installed adjustable tension rods with the spherical ends and I placed the suspension under load (drove it onto ramps) before tightening them because I read that you need to do this to prevent binding.

However, every time I'm turning at low speeds, like getting out of a parking spot, they'll squeak like a mofo. Is this noise normal, or is does it mean they are binding or something?

thanks

[slyedog240sx]

Same problem but mine are more of a pop sound.Never got an answer but i assume the rod is making noise when the bearing pivots.

[nismodanman]

yea i have like a poping noise also what is that i changed my control arm bushing and it stoped for a while

[tmwnn]

Nah no popping sound on my end...just annoying squeaking. It will also squeak when I get in/out of the car, but its more noticeable when reversing out of a parking spot. Today I was moving my car to get it into my garage and two cute girls were riding bicycles. My car started squeaking like a pig and I swear they looked at it funny because of the noises it made. It made me sad

In all seriousness (true story about the girls though) Im asking because I read *a lot* of posts about adjustable tension rods before installing them and no one mentioned that they squeaked...I torqued them to spec and like I said I had the front on ramps but Im worried something's not right.

Thanks for the help so far..I would be more worried if I they were popping

[dtowndrifter]

thats normal with the sperical ball ones...you can get some chassis grease an take them down an pack in grease..wipe it off and hit the grease with the compressor..high presure air..leave some grease though..

[nissanman04]

Probably just a lubrication issue. Spherical bearings will not bind, even if you torque them down while the car is jacked up. This only happens with rubber/poly bushings.

[tmwnn]

Thanks for the replies guys...at least I know my car won't fall apart on the highway because of the tension rods.

Still, its the 1st time I hear of having to lubricate adjustable tension rods

And I had read SideWays=smiles's article on the Tension Arm Brace installation, and he mentions

Because of the adjustability associated with pillow ball TC rods, the actual joint is aloud to twist in the bracket. If special care is not taken when tightening the jam nuts, they can succumb to the same issues as the bushing, causing poor suspension movement, and even premature pillow ball failure. With the front wheels supporting the full weight of the vehicle, center the pillow ball in the bracket, then tighten the jam nuts.

So thats why I tightened them up with the car on ramps. Better safe than sorry I guess. I think 'll try dtwondrifter's tip and lube them when I get around to replacing my control arms