During the past few weeks, its been pretty cold here in Wisconsin. When I drive around in my 87 Stationwagon, there is an annoying squeaking sound coming from rear shock area. When I exit the car, I hear it loudly as the weight comes off the shocks. Is this a normal condition in cold weather or is there a need to replace parts and/or fluids?

My '87 wagon does the exact same thing. Kind of a rubbery
creaking sound. Goes away when it's warm out; anything
above perhaps 60F. Reappears whenever the temps drop below
50F.

Can't say I've put much effort into diagnosing it. I
kind of assume it's dried out old bushings in the
rear suspension. I understand the sway bar end links
in back are notorious for wearing out and making noise,
but I think it's a different character of noise.

I've noticed the noise disappears when driving in the
rain, even if the temperature is quite cold. This
reinforces my belief that it is dry bushings. Lubricate
them with a little rain water and they quiet right down.

Don't know if there are specific bushings which must be
replaced to quiet down the car, or if the whole rear
suspension should be done. Maybe one of the techs with
some 124 experience can comment?

- Jim

Soak those bushings with spray silicone while someone bumps the car up and down to work it in.

It's definitely a bushing. You could replace it but it will cost you a lot in labor. I had to take my wheel off and put a ton of grease and WD-40 and work the arm around to soak it in. I replaced my other rear bushing at the dealer but didn't have another $230 for the other side so I did the temporary fix. Funny, the bushing cost $20 but the labor was $210. Later, Scott