Creaking noise from front wheel -- what's causing it?

[AP9]

Lately I've noticed when I get out of my vehicle, I can hear a sort of creaking noise coming from somewhere in the front-left suspension. Sounds almost like my parking brake when I (attempt to) apply it. I have not noticed it when the motor is on -- I'm not sure if this is because the power steering pump prevents whatever is causing this noise, or if I just can't hear it over the engine.

I suspect it's steering-related because:

• The shocks were replaced about 15 months / 15,000 miles ago
• When I'm out of the vehicle and push down on either the fender/hood or the running board, I usually don't hear it
• If I lock the steering wheel, I do not hear it

So I'd say that some lateral force on the chassis relative to the wheel caused by my exiting the vehicle (and thus changing both the overall load and center of weight of the chassis) is actuating whatever is causing this noise. What I'd like to know though is exactly what the noise is coming from.

Could it be a CV joint or tie rod on its way out, or maybe just bad sway bar bushings?

 

[bill06447]

Check the ball joints. This is what they sound like when they get real bad.

Bill

 

[AP9]

Took a closer look and I think you're spot on. Thanks.

 

[rego]

I had one with 36,000 miles on it that started creaking. In my quest to find the source I sprayed lube on many parts in front but finally found the culprit by getting some oil into the boot of the ball joint. stopped it almost right away.
I then bought the needle attachment for my grease gun and injected the boot until it started to bulge slightly. All is well. Of course then all other boots were filled too.
If you don't need new ball joints this might work for you.

 

[JimMadsen]

How long did the "fix" last? Mine is creaking when turning in the driveway. Sounds like an old may getting out of bed!

Bumps and driving all seem to be fine.

 

[rego]

How long did the "fix" last? Mine is creaking when turning in the driveway. Sounds like an old may getting out of bed!

Bumps and driving all seem to be fine.

I drove it through a winter then stored it and got my 2wd out so about 12,000 miles and was still good going into storage.
Yup, I have a 2000 with <50,000 miles waiting for me.

 

[AP9]

Speaking of lubing these parts, is it absolutely necessary to use a grease gun? Or would a shot of aerosol white lithium grease suffice?

 

[tenny]

if its making noise....its already bad...

 

[JusTheUsual]

mine did same also, found out what the creeking was coming from last year, top a arm connected to top of frame, sprayed with wd40, went away, now a year later it just started happening again, migh be the bottom a arm bushings also.

 

[JusTheUsual]

people usually hear thunks not creeks from balljoints, only spray wd40 or other lubricating spray on one thing at a time and drive around, now you know what it is or what to do

 

[AP9]

Sprayed the upper ball joints on both sides with white lithium grease and Liquid Wrench. Seems to be doing it a bit less but still doing it nonetheless.

 

[AP9]

Hmm . . . I think I may have found the cause when I went to check oil this afternoon: