Squeaky upper control arm bushing are a common problem. Mostly it has to do
with the design and/or quality of the bushings. If there is no play or
knocking, it is OK to keep using them. Sometimes, they will get so stiff as
to affect the ride. The test! Remove the bolts holding the arm to the top
ball joint. Move the arm up and down. It should move with some resistance,
smoothly and silently. If you need a wrench or hammer to move them, they
need replacing.

For replacements, there are 3 or different brands or styles out there. So
far, Meyle has shown to work the best. I am having a brain freeze but the
red box ones are often to stiff and creak right out of the box. There is
also an unbranded one that is commonly supplied. This are noted by the poor
stamping quality where the corners almost have a rounded appearance. They
sometime distort going into Syncro arms. These are garbage. Even if they
work after installation, they will shortly disintegrate and start knocking.

When re-installing the top bolts, use new ones and loc-tite. Back in the air
cooled days, there was a recall for loose upper control arm bolts. These
coming loose can be a real problem. Especially on Syncros, check the fit of
the bushings going into the mounts. Those eccentric washers are available in
different thicknesses. You don't want the cross bolt to preload them.

Dennis

>From: Leslie H Schwartz <lhs_emf@PACBELL.NET>
>Reply-To: Leslie H Schwartz <lhs_emf@PACBELL.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: 1985 Vanagon - body squeaky noises
>Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 10:16:23 -0700
>
>Does this mean they should be replaced or lubricated, or just should be
>checked at the next service, or is this normal? Thanks!
>
>----- Original Message ----
>From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 11:46:08 AM
>Subject: Re: 1985 Vanagon - body squeaky noises
>
>Upper control arm bushings!
>
>
>
> >From: Larry Word <larry_word@YAHOO.COM>
> >Reply-To: Larry Word <larry_word@YAHOO.COM>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: 1985 Vanagon - body squeaky noises
> >Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 10:25:26 -0700
> >
> >What causes this - every bump, squeaky.....
> >
> >   My shocks and other front end parts appear OK.  Going fast over a bump
> >   is OK and I don't hear such squeaky noises so much w/ speed....
> >
> >   But go slow and squeaky....Advice?
> >
> >   Larry
> >
> >
> >---------------------------------
> >Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who
>knows.
> >Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.