97 Explorer XLT - front end squeaks over bumps

[97ExlporerXLT-FL]

Front end squeaks when going over bumps, large or small. Is this the ball joints or sway bars? If ball joints, is it typicqally the uper or lower ball joints that go bad? How hard is it to replace them?

Thanks in advance!!
Rick

 

[jlsparky7]

Squeeks from the front end can be a number of things. Ball joints, swaybar links, shocks, springs, control arm. Yo are on the right track though. If your balljoints are bad they are somewhat tricky to replace but not bad. Squeeking is the first sign of them going bad usually. Heres a trick you can try.

Spray whichever part you think is squeeking with lube or pb blaster. Only 1 at a time so you know what was squeeking. Then bounce the ex up and down and see when it stops. Last thing you sprayed was probably the problem.

Good chance its the balljoints though.