Front suspension noise (not the usual knock)

[gumby6371]

So I did the top mount change at the weekend and threw a new drop link on while I was at it. The dunk, dunk, dunk while turning has now gone and she self centres nice and smoothly again
Unfortunately there is still an annoying squeaky noise (technical term) over the lumps and bumps.
I noticed the top spring cup (no idea of the correct name) had quite a lot of surface rust when I was doing the mount so I cleaned up the face the bearing sat in but didn't wire brush the spring side as it was on the spring pretty firmly and I was a bit twitchy about persuading it while the spring compressors were on.
Is that likely to cause a squeak? I'm (fairly) confident the spring is flush against the stops in the top and bottom cups.
My other thought was ARB bushes but it only seems to come from the top of the drivers side and I assume you'd hear a squeak from both sides and lower down?

[PeterN]

Can you induce the squeak by bouncing it, does it go away in wet weather?

Peter

[gumby6371]

Yes it makes the noise when you bounce it but the passenger side is fine.

[PeterN]

If it stops doing it in the wet it will be a rubber bush, if you can find out which one you can probably squirt a rubber friendly liquid on to it.

Peter

[gumby6371]

Thanks Peter,
I assume CV grease is safe to use?

[PeterN]

I think brake fluid would be better.

Peter

[dirtydirtydiesel]

You could always use red rubber grease

[gumby6371]

Thankd for the responses gents but I am slightly concerned that red rubber grease may only be available via mail order and arrives in plain brown packaging DDD

[gumby6371]

Quick update - I stripped the suspension down again yesterday and completely disassembled the strut. Much wire brushing of rusty bits and greasing of rubber bits later guess what....it still makes the noise!!!!
Maybe a little less squeaking but still very annoying

Everything looks good as far as the bits visible in the wheel arch go and I gave it everything a tweek with my pinch bar to check the stuff that should move did and the other stuff didn't.
Pretty sure that only leave ARB bushes so I'll pick some up and cross my fingers.

Presumably it's;
undo drop links to remove tension from ARB
undo bush clamp (stop it!)
remove bush (now you're just being childish!)
fit new bush (OK, it is a bit funny)
refit clamp
re-attach drop links

Did I miss anything?

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Yeah! to smear the bush with red rubber grease OH Matron

[gumby6371]

I've just tried to order some from a 'specialist' web site but apparantly their stock has been wiped out by some guy from a french car owners club!!!

[dirtydirtydiesel]

No seriously gumby,
Look up Castrol or Millers ect red rubber grease it stops the rubber from perishing, it was developed for brake assembly

[gumby6371]

I did see it mate, new ARB bushes have been ordered through ECP and should be here by the weekend and I'll grease them up before fitting. I'll pick up new fuel and oil filters and give it a mini service while she's up on the ramps.
When it's all done I'll get the tracking checked and hopefully that will be the front end sorted and it's back to tracking down cabin squeaks and rattles!