96 Explorer XLT - front end squeaking

[ejscarfo]

So recently I've noticed the front end of my 96 Explorer AWD making some squeaking noises with suspension travel. The truck is quiet on smooth pavement but with suspension travel I am hearing squeaking, almost like metal moving inside of rubber. I also get the sound when turning to the left at very low speed, not much to the right, but I have heard it. I did a check of the suspension and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, boots look ok, etc. If I try and bounce the front end up and down, I may or may not hear it. It doesn't matter if its hot or cold out either. I did notice a nice gap on the sway bar bushing where it mounts to the frame. I am thinking that I am hearing the sway bar move inside the bushing. I have talked to family members who've had the same truck at one time or another and they also experienced the same thing, but they never had it addressed.

Anyone here have this and can suggest anything?

 

[96eb96]

So recently I've noticed the front end of my 96 Explorer AWD making some squeaking noises with suspension travel. The truck is quiet on smooth pavement but with suspension travel I am hearing squeaking, almost like metal moving inside of rubber. I also get the sound when turning to the left at very low speed, not much to the right, but I have heard it. I did a check of the suspension and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, boots look ok, etc. If I try and bounce the front end up and down, I may or may not hear it. It doesn't matter if its hot or cold out either. I did notice a nice gap on the sway bar bushing where it mounts to the frame. I am thinking that I am hearing the sway bar move inside the bushing. I have talked to family members who've had the same truck at one time or another and they also experienced the same thing, but they never had it addressed.

Anyone here have this and can suggest anything?

The sway bar bushings are cheap to replace, I felt they helped a bit with handling too. Its possible they make noise.

The sway bar links may be covered under a recall at your dealer, can't hurt to find out. (this may not be your noise, but they often go bad).

Many things could make noise, tie rods, ball joints, even shocks. Did you jack up the truck by the control arm and verify no play in the ball joints?

 

[ejscarfo]

I did jack up the truck to check the ball joints. I tried to move the wheel and there was no play that I could detect. I think I am just going to order the bushings and links and see what happened. It can't hurt.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Grease the inside of the bushings before you put them on the stabilizer bar as well... Seems to help and slow wear a bit as well...

 

[ejscarfo]

Grease the inside of the bushings before you put them on the stabilizer bar as well... Seems to help and slow wear a bit as well...

I was actually thinking about that, thanks! Parts are ordered and on the way. Let's see what happens.