Need opinions on front end noise

[aloneranger223]

I have got a really loud squeaking noise coming from the front drivers side on my 2000 AWD Mountaineer. It sounds like it's coming from the lower ball joint, but it also sounds like rubber. I hear this noise when I turn the wheel, even just a little turn, and when ever i hit a bump or if there is the slightest articulation. That has got me wondering if it might be a bushing on the spring. It is a very loud,very strong noise.

Any ideas would be very helpful!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Its a dry ball joint. Mine did the same thing. If you still have stock ones, its time to replace it. Make sure you get a greasable one, like Moog. Before you install it, put a 90 degree grease fitting on it, its much easier to service that way.

 

[aloneranger223]

Thanks! I had some time to look at it some last night and you are exactly right. I oiled it down and today it isn't making any kind of noise. I'm going to change all of the ball joints out. Not really looking forward to have to change the whole control arm though!!

 

[MustangP51]

DON'T LISTEN TO HAYNES!!!!!!!

The lower control arms do not need to be replaced, the lower ball joints can be pressed out and replaced, i would recommend you let a garage do it since they have presses that make the job easy. I had mine done about 5 months ago for about $200. It was worth the money. Make sure its a trustworthy shop and NOT a tire center.

-Ryan

 

[aloneranger223]

Thanks for the advice, but I've already changed out one of the lower joints before. I have a press kit at home that I use. What aggitates me is the fact the the top ones are pressed into the control arm, so I had to buy the whole upper control arm. It really wasnt that bad for 2 Moog control arms including the joints and one lower joint at Oreilly's it was only $141.00. It will take me quite a few hours to do, but it'll save me a lot of cash!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I just realized you are in little rock. Im not all that far away- Jonesboro

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Moog upper arms have replacable ball joints. I'm really tempted to use them when I rebuild the whole front suspenion this spring.

I'm going to replace my torsion bars, adjusters & keys at the same time. With 186,000 on it I figeure it's time.

 

[carlover]

i just replaced my ball joints less than 2 months ago and im getting the same squeeking noise, they were greasable and were greased with synthetic grease. I hope they did go bad as described here.

 

[aloneranger223]

I just realized you are in little rock. Im not all that far away- Jonesboro

Yah, I've noticed a few people on here from AR. I used to get on a Ranger site quite a bit, but I sold my Ranger a couple of weeks ago, so here i am. Does anyone from this site ever meet here?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Instead of hijacking this thread, go here-
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116909

 

[daffy]

i just replaced my ball joints less than 2 months ago and im getting the same squeeking noise, they were greasable and were greased with synthetic grease. I hope they did go bad as described here.

Mine went bad in 9 months, after the second oil change, I just couldn't pump grease into them anymore.

 

[rd_turbo]

A similar squeak developed on the driver's side of my '01 X immediately after all 4 ball joints were replaced last summer. I chalked it up to upper control arm bushing noise and did nothing about it. It died down a bit, but it's still there. Grease seemed to pump into the ball joints normally, although I haven't tried it in a little while.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

After a few months, my new ball joints got to squeaking- greased them and problem gone.

 

[aloneranger223]

Well, I replaced one lower and both upper control arms. Took only about 2 1/2 hours. Going to get it aligned today. The control arms were really a lot easier than i thought they were going to be!