Squeak found and fixed

[Desert Rat]

I’ve had my 98 LC for about a year now, and from day one it had a squeak---irritating on paved roads when going over a pothole or bump, but almost unbearable on dirt. It seemed to originate in the area of the Glove Box, but defied pinpointing its exact location. A couple of months ago I removed the Glove Box and poked in much foam rubber around all the components and AC ducts---no joy.

Last week I found the culprit! It turns out the squeak is not inside, rather it originates from the area of the RH hood hinge. It seems there is some sort of a catch (shaped like an upside-down ‘L’, right next to where the hinge is mounted above the wheel-well) that fits in an opening on the hood. My hood was mis-adjusted, allowing one side of the hood opening to scrape against the catch. Metal on metal, amplified by the hood as a sounding-board. The fix was to adjust the hood to the rear a few millimeters---no rubbing, no squeak.

I don’t want to fill up this post with more details unless others have been fighting this same squeak. If anyone wants more details, I will post an image or two.

 

[spressomon]

I’ve had my 98 LC for about a year now, and from day one it had a squeak---irritating on paved roads when going over a pothole or bump, but almost unbearable on dirt. It seemed to originate in the area of the Glove Box, but defied pinpointing its exact location. A couple of months ago I removed the Glove Box and poked in much foam rubber around all the components and AC ducts---no joy.

Last week I found the culprit! It turns out the squeak is not inside, rather it originates from the area of the RH hood hinge. It seems there is some sort of a catch (shaped like an upside-down ‘L’, right next to where the hinge is mounted above the wheel-well) that fits in an opening on the hood. My hood was mis-adjusted, allowing one side of the hood opening to scrape against the catch. Metal on metal, amplified by the hood as a sounding-board. The fix was to adjust the hood to the rear a few millimeters---no rubbing, no squeak.

I don’t want to fill up this post with more details unless others have been fighting this same squeak. If anyone wants more details, I will post an image or two.

Good info...I now have several suspension/exhaust hanger related squeeks that eventually I have to deal with...someday

 

[hoser]

Desert Rat, thanks for sharing. I'm sure you won't be the only one who has this annoying squeak. If anybody else has found solutions to their squeaks or rattles, I'd like to hear them. I have rattle under the body that I can't replicate with a mallet. Annoying... especially over all the speed bumps.

 

[Maniac]

If you could post an image that would be great. I have the same squeak and was convinced that I had isolated it to the glove box. Tried everything to "de-squeak" the glove box with no results...

 

[mobi-arc]

Me too. Thought it was the PS dash area but haven't tried to chase it down yet.

 

[Desert Rat]

My first try at attaching an imaage---I hope it works.

You can see that when the hood is closed the catch fits up into the opening in the hood. I am not sure the purpose of this latch, but if the hood is too far towards the front the opening in the hood will rub on the rear of the latch. This is what caused my squeak.

The quick way to check if this is the trouble is to put some masking tape around the rear of the latch. Then close and open the hood. If the masking tape is torn or black then this is the trouble.

I adjuusted the hood to the rear a little, but this is a pain since the strut pulls the hood to the front once you loosen the bolts. You will need a second person to push the hood to the rear while the bolts are tightened.

Annother way would be to grind off a little metel from the catch or hood opening. Or maybe just a little grease?

 

[Greg B]

How in the hell did you ever deduce that THAT is what was causing your squeak? There is no way I would have ever thought to look there! Good job!

 

[Desert Rat]

On a washboard road with my son leaning out the window. When he put his hand on the hood, just above the hinge, the squeak stopped. Then with the hood open it was easy to see fresh metal where the latch was rubbing on the opening. I always carry tools so I adjusted the hood on the spot and the rest of the day was squeak free.

 

[tech_dog]

I'd imagine you were pretty damn pleased with yourself too. It's great when you can fix a PITA with a quick turn of a wrench.

 

[cruiser4life]

Thanks DR! I am definitely going to have to check that out. My 98 doesn't have it, the 2000 does though. I've been convinced it was the door to the glove box but haven't ever had a passenger with enough patience (see obsessive compulsiveness) to help me figure it out when in motion.

For all the talk about how reliable these rigs are, this has by far been the most annoying thing about my 2000 100 series in the 50K that I've had it...

I've just learned to deal with it and like Greg B said, I would have never thought to look there.

Thanks again!!