Interesting Squeaking Noise.... You'll Love This!

[ssandecki522]

Hey all,

I'm new here and got a question for my 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD truck. Last winter my truck was making a squeaking sound on the drive side by the wheel when I turned left (only left) or hit a bump; when the car is off and in park if I push up and down on the car on the left driver side the squeaking happens also.

Fast forward a few months... summer comes and the noise disappears completely. No squeaking when I turn left, no squeaking if I hit a bump, no squeaking if I push up and down.

Now, it's getting cold again and guess what... it's back! :thumbdwn:

Can anyone take a stab at what this might be?

Just to clarify.... this only happens when it cold outside.

 

[yavapaires]

Hey all,

I'm new here and got a question for my 2001 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD truck. Last winter my truck was making a squeaking sound on the drive side by the wheel when I turned left (only left) or hit a bump; when the car is off and in park if I push up and down on the car on the left driver side the squeaking happens also.

Fast forward a few months... summer comes and the noise disappears completely. No squeaking when I turn left, no squeaking if I hit a bump, no squeaking if I push up and down.

Now, it's getting cold again and guess what... it's back! :thumbdwn:

Can anyone take a stab at what this might be?

Just to clarify.... this only happens when it cold outside.

There will be a few posts pointing to a bad ball joint. But my money is on the upper and lower control arm bushings. Oh how I long for the days of Ru Glide. Used to be, when you took your car in for a 'lube and oil', the mechanic really did lube the car. There used to be a liquid rubber lube called Ru Glide that was squirted on all the rubber bushings to help prevent this type of squeaking. I'm sure there are some of the older members that remember this. Any way, back to the problem, try spraying a silicone lubricant on the bushings and see if the squeak goes away. It will probably take a few days, and a couple times spraying to work.

 

[yavapaires]

There will be a few posts pointing to a bad ball joint. But my money is on the upper and lower control arm bushings. Oh how I long for the days of Ru Glide. Used to be, when you took your car in for a 'lube and oil', the mechanic really did lube the car. There used to be a liquid rubber lube called Ru Glide that was squirted on all the rubber bushings to help prevent this type of squeaking. I'm sure there are some of the older members that remember this. Any way, back to the problem, try spraying a silicone lubricant on the bushings and see if the squeak goes away. It will probably take a few days, and a couple times spraying to work.

Duh... my bad. You can also use WD-40 for this squeak.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

I vote balljoint, but agree that the bushings could be hard and squeaky in the cold, too. I would not put WD40. It dries them out. Use silicon as suggested or white lithium since it sticks better and doesnt wash off as easily.

Have to agree with the old lube jobs. Every oil change place says they are doing oil & lube but almost nobody lubes anything these days. Totally wrong -- no zerk doesnt mean no lube needed, just means have to use different tool.

 

[ssandecki522]

Where exactly is the upper and lower control arm bushings located? What is the best product to use to lubricate? Is there any guide or video showing how to do this properly?

 

[swshawaii]

While you're down there, check your sway bar frame bushings and end links.
If other suspension bushings are worn, there's a good chance these are also.
Alternate replacements are Moog thermoplastic rubber or Energy Suspension poly.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195135

 

[yavapaires]

Where exactly is the upper and lower control arm bushings located? What is the best product to use to lubricate? Is there any guide or video showing how to do this properly?

Open the hood, look down alongside the engine, both sides, you will see the upper control arms/bushings. Crawl under the vehicle to find the lower arms/bushings. They will basically be right under the upper ones. While you are at it, lube ANYTHING that looks like rubber.

 

[Lube]

Lubing the bushing may work for a while, but it's only a bad band aid patch put on a bad bushing. When they squeak, they need to be replaced.

 

[SoNic67]

Actually, spraying lubricants or rubber, will just "eat" the rubber away...