Annoyingly loud creeking noise?? Help please!!

[Ryon40]

Ok so Ive searched this forum and have a couple ideas but dont want to jump right into it just yet. I took my X to the car wash and got the whole thing done underbody everything drove it home and it sat for a day in a half or so its not too cold about 50F. Yet yesterday when I got in and turned my wheel to turn left I heard this creeking noise, I didnt pay it any attention until it got loud and would do it whenever the car hits a bump or bounces.

Its only the front driver side right were the bottom a arm? meets the tire. If the wheel is turned to the left it makes the noise if the car bounces it makes it, its so loud it echos at times. I heard tie rods inner outter both, then Ive read bearings, I dont know if the wash had anything to do with it because it was fine before and the shocks are still fairly new with maybe 3k on them.

Also I have a 98 Sport 4.0 SOHC

If anyone could help Id appreciate it greatly thanks!

 

[firepop5]

Probably over-zealous washing. If the front end has grease fittings, grease everything up. If the noise persists, lift the car by the frame, remove the tire and try moving suspension parts one at a time to identify where the noise is coming from.

 

[Ryon40]

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w22/ryanevans40/****-1.jpg

To me it sounds like its coming from that general area. I sprayed everything suspension wise with a lubricant yet the creak still persists. Would greasing make that much more of a difference then the lube? I do not think I have the grease fittings you mentioned

 

[smurfxlt]

i have the same problem. i jacked it up today and both of my front wheels have alot of play in them so ill be replacing the bearings soon...

 

[firepop5]

That is your lower ball joint. If you cannot add a grease fitting (to a small hole that is plugged on the top side) you will have to replace the ball joint. Be sure the new one has a grease fitting.

 

[ExploreTHEWorld]

I have the same thing but I just think its my powersteering being old. My Dads F150 has the same thing and whines like a ***** when you turn all the way in a certain direction. However mine definetley dosen't make that noise on bumps and while driving it dosen't whine, just at low speeds and tight turns.

Is it like a whirring sound? Grinding? Does your wheel jerk when you do it?

 

[Ryon40]

I have the same thing but I just think its my powersteering being old. My Dads F150 has the same thing and whines like a ***** when you turn all the way in a certain direction. However mine definetley dosen't make that noise on bumps and while driving it dosen't whine, just at low speeds and tight turns.

Is it like a whirring sound? Grinding? Does your wheel jerk when you do it?

Its not that its only on my driver side and its a loud creaking, best thing I can think of comparing it to would be an old wood floor or a the classic door when being opened is loud.

So what Ive read and heard so far it could be,
CV Joint
Ball Joint
Tie Rod
Bushings

Best to just pick on and try it or what Ill try to get a video up tomorrow it even does it when I go to get in the truck now

 

[gmanpaint]

Try spraying some wd-40 on both control arm bushings (all 4) and drive around a bit to work it in. I have the squeak after wheeling and power washing as well.

 

[94 explorer xlt]

i'd say if it is makeing the noise just by getting in it is more than likely ur ball joint. but like the other post said if you get a new balljoint make sure you get one that has a grease fitting

 

[gmanpaint]

LOL..The squeaking is notorious on the IFS. Even after swapping out new LBJ's, you might still have the noise. I am not the only one who has battled this annoying problem. I know a member who swapped out the entire front IFS with new parts only to have the squeak return after a couple weeks.

Learn from others experiences and save cash and headaches. Only replace the parts if they are broken/damaged. Do the proper tests to make sure they need replacing first. Unless you got money to burn.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

LOL..The squeaking is notorious on the IFS. Even after swapping out new LBJ's, you might still have the noise. I am not the only one who has battled this annoying problem. I know a member who swapped out the entire front IFS with new parts only to have the squeak return after a couple weeks.

Learn from others experiences and save cash and headaches. Only replace the parts if they are broken/damaged. Do the proper tests to make sure they need replacing first. Unless you got money to burn.

If mine isn't squeking & creaking I think something is wrong.

 

[coppe]

what i´ve done to troubleshoot this in the past is first of all watch fo normal wear and tear, see if there is some play in all the linkages, bushings, etc.... and if there´s a faulty part, replace it, if everything is in good conditions, get some teflon spray lube or wd40 (i like teflon cause it will not damage rubber at all), and spray one part first, lets say sway bar links, spray it really well, and g for a drive, if the sound stops, youve located the problem part, if it doesnt, stop, spray another part (balljoints, ends, etc), and so on. When you´ve identified the problem, you can decide if the part is still in working conditions, and lube it with the proper materials (as the spray will only quiet it for a couple of hours) a thicker oil, lithium grease, etc, or replace it if you need to. There are several post with different step by step lubricating the suspensión tutorials. When i got the truck i had a full time orchestra under the vehicle, but after renewing, tightening, washing, and giving my suspension regular lubrication, i haven´t had a a single squeak in almost a year, and actually i feel it makes stops and accelerated in sort of a more "fluid" or confortable manner. Hope this helps.

 

[Ryon40]

Hopefully this video works and can explain a little better then I can lol.

Sorry for the crap quality it was takin from my phone and aparently the link has to be clicked? Just found that out myself sorry lol

 

[gmanpaint]

When you have it go up and down it sounds like the control arm bushings to me.

When you turn the wheel it either sounds like the tires gripping and sliding on the ground or the tie rod ends are shot, hard to tell. Need longer video of you turning the wheels on concrete or pavement.

 

[Ryon40]

When you have it go up and down it sounds like the control arm bushings to me.

When you turn the wheel it either sounds like the tires gripping and sliding on the ground or the tie rod ends are shot, hard to tell. Need longer video of you turning the wheels on concrete or pavement.

So would I just need to replace the bushings?

Ill get another up shortly but the sound it makes while turning isnt from the gravel once the wheels line straight and I turn right there is no noise just turning to the left.

 

[Ryon40]

Here is the wheel turning on pavement.

 

[gmanpaint]

Just watched your video.

You definitely got problems..lol.!

Only thing to do is what was said earlier. Remove the tire and start inspecting the suspension. Something to add to your list of possibility's is a steering rack.

Get the tire off and take some pics of each ball joint, tie rod end, control arms, shock mounts, CV axle, and where the rod goes into the steering rack.

This could be done to help us out to help you identify the problem. But be super careful and use a good set of jack stands, plus someone with you.

Get the front off the ground, place on jack stands, remove wheels, and have someone turn the wheel while you video the front section where the noise is coming from. Your cell takes short videos, so do a few of them if you have to.

I don't know how else to help with out being there......sorry.

 

[Ryon40]

Just watched your video.

You definitely got problems..lol.!

Only thing to do is what was said earlier. Remove the tire and start inspecting the suspension. Something to add to your list of possibility's is a steering rack.

Get the tire off and take some pics of each ball joint, tie rod end, control arms, shock mounts, CV axle, and where the rod goes into the steering rack.

This could be done to help us out to help you identify the problem. But be super careful and use a good set of jack stands, plus someone with you.

Get the front off the ground, place on jack stands, remove wheels, and have someone turn the wheel while you video the front section where the noise is coming from. Your cell takes short videos, so do a few of them if you have to.

I don't know how else to help with out being there......sorry.

I figured as much

Ill hop on it asap I dont want to drive it like that so Ill have some pictures/videos up once I tear into it.

Thanks alot for the help!

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

if mine isn't squeking & creaking i think something is wrong.:d

lmao!

 

[ThePhoenix]

why no drive it like that? be proud you own a squeaky expy like the rest of us!