Mystery solved! Sometimes, one can actually "see" a squeak...

I found that the steel plate on top of the rubber spring seat (the steel plate in which the strut bearing rides) was rubbing on the piston rod of the shock. In fact, the piston rod had rubbed a shiny spot on the steel plate, so I could "see" the squeak. My theory is that because I had the bump stops upside down, there was just enough movement of the plate to contact the piston rod. The bump stops should fit snugly within the rubber spring seat, wedged up against the steel plate. So, I enlarged the hole in the steel plate a bit (only about 1/16 in. using a 1-1/8 in. bit), and I installed the bump stops correctly this time.

What a joy it is to have a new and quiet front suspension!

Next is a new oil pan gasket, new power steering hoses, and reservoir. Looking forward to the big job of lifting the engine and dropping the cross member to replace the oil pan gasket.

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Jim Nau '91 740 178K