HELP! Squeeky Front Suspension???

[dbailey]

Guys my '03 ST has developed a squeak in the front suspension. Hear it almost all the time especially after getting a couple of loads of mulch yesterday. When I push up and down on the front bumper I can hear it on the passenger side front. Sounds like a dry bushing kinda sound. Any ideas on what would make that sorta noise? Can't think of anything up there that has a grease zerk or is there? Thanks for any advice/direction.

 

[Green Hornet]

Guys my '03 ST has developed a squeak in the front suspension. Hear it almost all the time especially after getting a couple of loads of mulch yesterday. When I push up and down on the front bumper I can hear it on the passenger side front. Sounds like a dry bushing kinda sound. Any ideas on what would make that sorta noise? Can't think of anything up there that has a grease zerk or is there? Thanks for any advice/direction.

Bad news no grease Zerk! Sounds like your lower ball joints. (if it sounds like a squeaky bed) they may be dried out or torn, either way no grease. Myself and im sure pretty much everybody else on this forum has changed to Moog problem solvers. Now my front end is a quiet as new. You can go to Rockauto they have good pricing and i believe there is a discount code for all EF members GL

 

[dbailey]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will get under it and have somebody bounce on it and see if I can pinpoint.

 

[dbailey]

Checked Rockauto and that problem solver ball joint. They list a standard one and an oversized one. Any way of determining which one I need without having to pop old one out and measuring the ID of the hole? There was also a special tool it mentions in the tech bulletin that is attached to the oversized one. Any need for that $90+ tool? Does ball joint have to be pressed in? Sorry for the multiple questions but have never replaced them on a ST. Thanks again.

 

[JohnnyO]

+2. Ball joint(s).

 

[dbailey]

Thanks. Think I'm just gonna replace both the upper and lower control arms with the ball joints in them. That way I'll get the bushings too. Truck has 269,000 miles on it and quite honestly think she's still riding on the originals.

How difficult is it to replace the whole thing? Any tips or cautions? Thanks again.

 

[Green Hornet]

Thanks. Think I'm just gonna replace both the upper and lower control arms with the ball joints in them. That way I'll get the bushings too. Truck has 269,000 miles on it and quite honestly think she's still riding on the originals.

How difficult is it to replace the whole thing? Any tips or cautions? Thanks again.

i replaced the upper control arms then the lower ball joints not the whole arm. The tool you speak of can usually be rented at a local auto parts store. Here in Florida we have Autozone, what they do is charge you for the tool then when you return it they refund you your money. Its not that bad of a job but if you get a chance youtube lower ball joint replacement and you will find a bunch of videos on how to. Actually you tube anything you ever have a problem with most likely there is a video for it ha! GL and by the way when your done with the upper control arm you will need a wheel alignment. You may even want to think about getting your camber bolts while your working down there.

 

[dbailey]

i replaced the upper control arms then the lower ball joints not the whole arm. The tool you speak of can usually be rented at a local auto parts store. Here in Florida we have Autozone, what they do is charge you for the tool then when you return it they refund you your money. Its not that bad of a job but if you get a chance youtube lower ball joint replacement and you will find a bunch of videos on how to. Actually you tube anything you ever have a problem with most likely there is a video for it ha! GL and by the way when your done with the upper control arm you will need a wheel alignment. You may even want to think about getting your camber bolts while your working down there.

Thanks again for your advice! Really appreciate it. Was saying I would change it all because I thought it would be easier than messing with the BJ replacement only plus would be getting new bushings in the arms too. Not easier to replace it all? We have Autozone here too. Thanks again.

 

[dbailey]

Got under it and it is the lower ball joint that's squeaking. Does the knuckle have to come off to replace it? From the looks of one of the threads I saw it appears it does. Big job? Can it be done in 2 hours?

 

[dhewey71]

I got a squeaky left front. I was thinking it was the ball joint. I'll be replacing those very soon.

 

[dbailey]

It is most likely the balljoint. It was for sure on mine. Glad I didn't do it. Watched the guy do it and its not an easy job especially if you don't have the proper tools!

 

[dhewey71]

Got the parts in yesterday from Rock Auto. I work two jobs so I'll have to find the time between those and family obligations. Looking forward to completing the task. After that it's the temp sensor and thermostat in my wife's vehicle. It's not an Explorer or Ford.