Annoying Squeak Driving Me Crazy! Video AND Pics!

[mvw2k2]

Hi Guys

After hours of research and searching on explorerforums, I finally took into attempting to lubricate my X, (its a 1996 Exp LTD 5.0). It had the annoying squeak that you so often hear coming from the undersides of late model fords.

The noise mine was making was occurring while going over a bump / or a change in the road surface. It also would happen if I pushed down on the hood (as seen in the video) , or closed the door LOL.. So after lubricating all the parts others had spoken about, I had no luck. I Have posted pics of the parts that i lubricated, The only thing i didn't do is drill a hole into the top of the ball join and lubricate it. I have heard success stories from others on here who have done this. And yes I agree its not the ideal way to go, but I am a poor college student so cheap is best for me If I am wrong about what parts I mentioned please correct me, Suspension systems are confusing to me

So please find attached the pictures of the partsi have lubricated, I believe the first two are the upper control arm bushings.. The second two are the lower control arm bushings. The fith is the upper ball joint, (loaded With Grease). And the sixth is some part that's broken? it looks like its supposed to be attached to something at the top but its not and the bottom part has come out as you can see, Its not rubbing against anything so I don't think this is the culprit. Just curious what part it is.

I have also included a video so you can all hear the noise, there is a similar noise when I turn the steering wheel but only at the last part turning circle as you can see and hear.

I did lubricate the lower ball joint but not using the drill method, If anyone has any ideas of what part to lubricate next.. Or did i Miss something, that would be great.

Upper Bushings ( I Think)

Lower Bushings (I Think)

And The Broken Bit

 

[corkey]

mine does that too, on the passenger side,, put it up an a jackstand, take the tire off, and check the upper and lower ball joints, ,
mine has got to be a ball joint, and they are not greasable,

 

[mvw2k2]

mine does that too, on the passenger side,, put it up an a jackstand, take the tire off, and check the upper and lower ball joints, ,
mine has got to be a ball joint, and they are not greasable,

Yeah that's what I heard, but I also heard that there is a temp solution of drilling the top of the ball joint and inserting a grease nipple, and then putting grease into the joint via the nipple. And of course sealing it afterward. I wonder if I do that it will solve it at least till I can get them replacted

 

[N1265]

when it happend on mine it was the upper control arm bushings. but with all that greese you got in there I would hardly think that is the problem with yours.


I would suggest net time use WD-40 to diagnose squeaks, because it is liquid it will penatrate deeper and qive you quicker results than waiting for the grease to settle in. do one joint at a time till you find the right one, Then you'll know what to replace.

But it will only fix the squeak for a couple of days at best....

Let us know how you make out .

 

[mvw2k2]

when it happend on mine it was the upper control arm bushings. but with all that greese you got in there I would hardly think that is the problem with yours.

I would suggest net time use WD-40 to diagnose squeaks, because it is liquid it will penatrate deeper and qive you quicker results than waiting for the grease to settle in. do one joint at a time till you find the right one, Then you'll know what to replace.

But it will only fix the squeak for a couple of days at best....

Let us know how you make out .

Well I did actually use WD-40 on all the brushings and ball joints, but no luck. So Im going to go with you and say that its probably not the bushings. So time to approach the ball joints

Anyone else have any ideas..

 

[mvw2k2]

Hi Guys

I've been trying to narrow down where the squeak comes from, is there any tricks or tools that I can use to zone in on it.
This is what I have done so far:

- Greased / WD-40 all bushings that I can see
- Stuck grease into both ball joints (not sure how effective that was)
- Removed the sway bar + sway bar end links
- Loosened the upper control arm bolts to maybe let the grease seep in.

And So far nothing.

I want to find the bad part and replace it, and not replace the parts that don't need to be replaced. I admit before I started this endeavor I was scared of anything suspension related but thanks to all the write ups and posts. I feel a lot more comfortable. Thanks to all those who have contributed.

So if anyone can give me any insight. I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[robertoa1a]

Those sway bar links look wore out on the cheep. Secondly I will bet those shock are doing nothing anymore but squeaking.

 

[mvw2k2]

Those sway bar links look wore out on the cheep. Secondly I will bet those shock are doing nothing anymore but squeaking.

Yeah I picked up a kit to replace the end links and the sway bar bushings, if i take out the shock can i still push up and down and see if it squeaks? or will that damage something..

 

[storlied]

You'll be fine taking off the shock, I just wouldn't suggest going for an actual drive without it... it might be uncomfortable..

 

[corkey]

okay, a little info here,, when turning the wheels side to side like that, THE SHOCK DOESN'T MOVE, SO IT IS NOT A FACTOR,,

 

[mvw2k2]

okay, a little info here,, when turning the wheels side to side like that, THE SHOCK DOESN'T MOVE, SO IT IS NOT A FACTOR,,

That's defiantly a good point, Maybe its the shock and then something else making a noise when the wheel is turning, I think first thing tomorrow I'll take off the shock and see where I stand.

 

[corkey]

only 3 things are in motion on each side,, upper ball joint,, lower ball joint,, and the tie rod,, , unless it is the rack, and i really doubt that , but on bumps, it gets a bit more complicated , adding in the a arms, and the shocks,

i still think a ball joint is to blame, a good idea, maybe put that side up on a jackstand, and have somebody push down on the bumper so you can hear it better, use a screwdriver up to your ear, as a stethoscope,, to find the real reason, ,

 

[mvw2k2]

only 3 things are in motion on each side,, upper ball joint,, lower ball joint,, and the tie rod,, , unless it is the rack, and i really doubt that , but on bumps, it gets a bit more complicated , adding in the a arms, and the shocks,

i still think a ball joint is to blame, a good idea, maybe put that side up on a jackstand, and have somebody push down on the bumper so you can hear it better, use a screwdriver up to your ear, as a stethoscope,, to find the real reason, ,

Thanks Corkey, I'll give that a shot tomorrow. Hopefully its the upper one ,as the lower one looks a little more complicated to repair

 

[robertoa1a]

There is a lot more geometry than meets the eye.

 

[mvw2k2]

Yeah That's true. Its just annoying that something so simple has the best of me. The other side is quiet as a mouse lol

 

[corkey]

mine is the same way, one side sounds like yours, the other, not a peep ,

 

[mvw2k2]

mine is the same way, one side sounds like yours, the other, not a peep ,

Did you ever repair it? or just left it be?

 

[corkey]

so far i have left it like that ,been about a week so far, but the weekend is coming, and i will pull it all apart, find it, and fix it, than let you know, if you don't find yours first ,
if you find yours let me know,

 

[mvw2k2]

so far i have left it like that ,been about a week so far, but the weekend is coming, and i will pull it all apart, find it, and fix it, than let you know, if you don't find yours first ,
if you find yours let me know,

Will Do Least I know im not the only one out there, with the squeaks.

 

[robertoa1a]

There is an inner tie rod in the boot near the rack that can be rusted on the ball end. Try some spray lube and see if it stops. replace if needed.