I'm starting to worry!!!

[97splorer]

I have this sqeeking sound coming from the upper ball joint area (as far as I can tell) here's the pic...

I have jacked up the truck and tryed to move the tire up and down...NO MOVEMNT. I tryed moving it side to side...a little movement but not much. How do I check if my tie rods are bad or if vital pieces of my suspension are going to hold up? I really don't want to take it to a mechanic and get charged $$$ just to have them look at it. Fastkart replied this in my original thread and it made me really nervouse " They said "inner tie rods are binding & lower ball joint & upper control arm are loose." They said around $1,200." I would just like to try and determine the problem so I can not worry about my wheel flying off the truck!!!

THanks-Brian

 

[Hartman]

When is the squeeking happening? If it's squeeking when going over bumps and/or when turning, then any number of your balljoints could be shot.

 

[97splorer]

It does it when I turn, get in or out, and while driving over bumps. When I turn the wheels all the way in either direction the noise stops, even when I rock the truck. Wouldn't my wheel move up and down if the ball joints were bad?

 

[Hartman]

It may or may not. They might be on their way to being shot but not quite there yet. It looks like you definately have some balljoint problems, and you might have some tie rod issues as well.

 

[Mike]

i have this same issue wityh my 2001.. i have had this for over 6 months.. its not getting any worse.. i know its my ball joints but i dont have the cash or the time wight now to fix them.

Mike

 

[X~FACTOR]

I am starting to worry too. Please do not double post...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84740

 

[5.0 guy]

I recently had the same problem. Try prying up the boot on the tie rod near the rack (and pinion), insert the small red tube that comes with spray lube and squirt some lube on the inner tie rod. It stopped the squeeking on mine and I haven't had a problem since.