1994 Aerostar. The front end creaks when the wheel is turned.

[meahrens]

I've got a 94 Aerostar 3.0 Manual.. My 2nd one.. I bought it almost a year ago knowing it had some problems. Turns out it had more than originally thought.

The most recent one is there is a groaning or creaking sound coming from the front end when I turn the steering wheel. I looked at some other posts to see if there were similarities and still feel the need to get a bit more specific than those.

It seems to happen primarily when the steering wheel is turned to the left and returned to center. It doesn't matter if I'm moving or not; it doesn't matter if the van is running or not. I'm unable to determine exactly where the noise is coming from as I don't have anyone who can help either listen while I turn the wheel or vice-versa.. It doesn't seem to make the noise when the wheel is turned to the right, maybe briefly at the beginning of the turn. I also noticed that when I hit a bump while driving (I didn't check when parked and turned off) I hear the noise too.

I'm worried mainly if it's the upper ball joint. Lowers were replaced as one of em went out 2 weeks after I bought the van. The noise just started a couple of days ago. We're in the midst of a cold blast in Akron and I don't know if maybe it's the weather. The power steering leaks fluid, I just topped it off today as I hadn't checked it in a long while and saw it recommended to other people. I wiggled the steering wheel back and forth a couple times afterwards. Just wiggled, not full turns.

I also know the tie rods are bad, the stud on one is rusted in the upright position, but on the opposite of the noise. I'd do those but I don't know how much strength they require. I'm afraid the pliers would slip. The sway bar link on passenger side has no bushings, have a replacement, have yet to cut the old one off though. All of that info is more for diagnostic purposes than anything.

I'm also nervous because I just had the thermostat go out on tuesday, 2 weeks after replacing the alternator. I replaced the idle air control at the same time as the thermostat. So far I've done all the work to the van myself.

Any ideas?

 

[rickybobby]

Start with the TRE's that you know are bad. If that doesnt fix the noise then it is most likely ball joints. If you havent replaced the uppers yet i highly reccomend that you do for preventative maintenence.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It sounds like the upper control arm bushings. I would recommend a full front end rebuild from the way you're describing the condition of it. Replacing one part at a time wouldn't make sense at this point since each bushing is probably worn down. How many miles does it have?

 

[meahrens]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm not sure of the actual mileage because the speedpmeter doesn't work reliably. Although with the recent temperature drop it is. I estimate it between 150000 and 200000. I wrnt to Autozone the other day and was helped by an employee. It sounds like it is coming from the passenger side tie rod end. I'm going to attempt to replace it today. As much as I'd like to do everything at once I can't. I'm unemployed and very limited in finances.

 

[meahrens]

Well, I was going to take the van to meineke to get a better diagnosis, and the noise has stopped. I'm guessing it was at least in part due to the cold temps we had as it warmed up from 5-10 degrees to 43 today.. I would have still taken it to get checked but the location is closed.. no other places in the area. I didn't hear or feel any other noises associated with the steering while I was out.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

As much as I'd like to do everything at once I can't. I'm unemployed and very limited in finances.

Hey man, don't feel too bad, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm currently driving my van without power steering because I can't afford to repair it (major leak). I've been out of work for a few years now. One thing at a time, we'll get our vans fixed up!

I'm just thankful that everytime I turn the key, that old 3.0L rumbles to life (knock on wood!).

Personally, I wouldn't trust a chain store like meineke, better to use an independant mechanic.

Welcome to the forum, and post some pics of your van when you get a chance.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Try Lucas stop leak for the power steering leak.