front end still squeeks ?

[jebogs]

Well I read many of the posts on here and decided to go with the sway bar bushing replacement. It helped alittle but it is getting real embarassing driving it. Any ideas what else ?

 

[rhyno]

Yes....WD-40. Seriously, it helps.

 

[xplorercrazy]

Control Arm bushings, especially the lower ones are usually the problem here. Spraying WD40 or whatever you like on them helps for a little but usually the problem shows up again soon and keeps getting louder.

 

[jebogs]

Are those hard to replace ? Location of them?

 

[xplorercrazy]

The lower control arm bushings are located where the lower control arm(or A arm as some people call it) connects to the frame. There are two per side and they are not hard to do if you work at a shop(or have access to one) that has all the right tools to do the job. It requires taking the arms off of the vehicle and pressing the old bushings out and pressing the new ones in. Also you have to have at least the front end off the ground as you also have to remove the front torsion bars(what our Explorers have instead of coil springs) and separate the lower balls joints as well. You should also have the alignment checked as well as it will usually change a little which can be big in tire wear or tracking.

 

[Goodin]

our creaking 97 turned out to be the inner tie-rods, when bouncing the vehicle you could feel the creak most when holding the linkage that goes into the boot. replaced them and its now back to quiet, so might want to take a look at them.

 

[jebogs]

Would that be difficult to do?

 

[awhughes]

My inners are creaking too. I replaced the outers but the problem noise is coming from the inners, you can feel it when you turn the wheels in the drive way. With 185k on them, i figure a little creaking wont hurt anything.

Anyone ever have one brake off, thats what I am concerned about if i were not to change them?