Hi, this common. My van is a 1990 and I have so far replaced both sides and
now they are begining to squeak again. I have not found out which side it is
yet. The real way to find out is raise van and remove wheels, remove upper
ball joint (not hard ) then use a pipe or other tool and use to move that
control arm up and down and you will know. I don't think that the squeaking
is an indication that they have failed unleess you can detect any slop in
them like play when moving the control arm back and forth or you have
wondering in steering. I think they just dry out. Attempts at lubricating
them are fruitless unless someone else on the list knows of a way.I have
tried spraying silicone,wd-40, liqiud wrench, white lube, all failed. Taking
them apart and greasing them might work but then you might as well replace
them. The only thing thats a real pain is after you get them pressed out and
in is that you have to spot weld them to the control arm accordind to the
Bentely manual. I take the arm to a auto machine shop and pay to have them
pressed out and in.
I wish they had grease fittng on them. But then again I wish the Van had
other things like a 6 cylinder boxer engine.
Good Luck, John 90 gl
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Perdue" <marcperdue@ADELPHIA.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 7:05 PM
Subject: Dreaded control arm bushing syndrome?

> Hi all,
>
> Now that the weather's warmed up considerably, I think I have to rename
> my van "Squeaky".  The passenger front side in particular squeaks
> whenever I go over the slightest little bump.  I thought I remembered
> others posting that their control arm bushing noises were worse when it
> was cold?  What is the general consensus on this (if there is one)?
> Does this sound like it is the control arm bushings?  If so, it doesn't
> seem like an urgent thing . . . I'm having a hard time envisioning just
> what would happen if they failed completely . . . .  Is it something
> that can wait a while to be fixed?
>
> Just when I'm starting to get one thing fixed, another rears its ugly
> head . . .
>
> Thanks,
> Marc Perdue
> '87 Westy, "Squeaky", 140K miles and counting . . .