Is my suspension shot?

[gfisch]

My '98 XLT w/ 105k miles started making creaking sounds when i go slowly over speed bumps or am at the base of a steep hill like a driveway. Anyone know what the cause is? Do i have to replace the struts?
If so, How hard is that to do? I replaced them on my Nissan 240sx, think I could do these myself too?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Jason_25]

It's your ball joints and yes you can do them yourself. Do a search on them.

 

[gfisch]

Thanks, Ill go take a look at them.
Maybe I can just relube them and it'll be all good again.

 

[Campo]

You might want to check your swaybar bushing's also... and I think the 95+ X's came with sealed ball joint's and there not greasable, so you can only replace them...

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by gfisch
Do i have to replace the struts?

Thanks,
Greg

The Explorer doesn't have struts. You have torsion springs with shocks in the front. As for the creaking, it could be just a bushing as Campo said. My '01 rear shocks creak because the lower bushings need to be greased (My shocks are modified and don't have the metal sleeve inside the bushing.) and I just haven't gotten to it yet.