Problems with my '97

[konaboy]

Firstly Greetings all

I've got a '97 XLT 4x4 with the SOHC V6 engine and 73,000 miles on it. I've been having some issues with it and hope you might be able to help.

I noticed a few months ago a sound coming from the front end that was a bit of a grinding noise. Had it at an independent for 4 new shocks and asked them about it, kinda felt like brake pads rubbing on a warped and rusted rotor. Well it ended up needing new front calipers, 4 new rotors and pads as well as some new tires which I did all at one time.......OUCH! Thought cool that should fix it well.........it didn't. Granted all necessary maintenance things that needed to be done but not the answer. I still get a sound coming from what sounds like front passenger side that sounds like pads rubbing on a warped rotor, kind of a metallic grinding, audibly noticeable with the windows up at 15mph and up. Also developed a squeak/creak from the front driver side well that's audible outside the car when the suspension becomes active, I'm thinking that may be a tie rod or ball joint. You can hear it pushing up and down on the bumper and even just turning the steering wheel a little side to side. Is it possible these two problems are related, would a ball joint or tie rod end give that grinding sound when the wheels are turning?

Sorry for the long post just wanted to get you the most info I could.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Kona

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Is it possible these two problems are related, would a ball joint or tie rod end give that grinding sound when the wheels are turning?

Welcome to the site. No, I don't think it is possible for a grinding sound to come from the ball joints or tie-rod ends. A grinding sound usually doesn't mean warped rotors, and rusting is usually a "sanding" type noise. I would look at your brake shield -- see if for some reason it's rubbing on the rotor or anything. When I was doing the lift, we accidently bent one in a little and on the test drive it made me very nervous. But, with my great expierence I knew what the problem was. Good luck!



-Drew

 

[konaboy]

Maybe grinding wasn't the appropriate word but it is reminiscent of pads scrubbing a rotor which there not. That's the only description I can think of (sounds are a pain in the butt to describe). You can hear what sounds like every revolution of the wheel. New tires so their not cupped. No high pitched sounds and not audible from the outside with the windows down when driving. Hear it coming through the floorboard.

Am I on the right track with the creak/squeak I'm picking up outside the car thinking ball joint or tie rod. New upper ball joints were put on 2 years ago by ford under an extended warranty but lowers were not replaced.

Kona

 

[birdman]

man my 97 has so many damn noises comin from the front end I don't even care anymore. As long as everything's safe and the tires are wearin good, don't worry about it. If not, every shop you take it to will tell you that you need something different and pretty soon you might as well buy a new car. good luck.

 

[bchess]

sounds just like a ball joint problem. I took my x to Sears for that repair, about $50.00 for the repair and $65.00 for an alignment well worth it. There's no way you can live with that sound its extremly loud and very annoying.

 

[stretch]

The squeaking noise sounds like it could be a ball joint or tie rod. They're an easy fix with the info you can find here. The grinding could be the brake dust shield or possibly a wheel bearing/hub assembly. That's exactly what mine sounded like just before the hub blew apart. Is your ABS light on? If it is, I would definately suspect the hub.

 

[konaboy]

ABS light isn't on. I had thought about the hub but was under the impression you would be able to hear it with the windows down because they really get loud when they go out, and you can't.

Bchess, you got a ball joint replaced for $50.00 You know someone who works there or did you buy the part from them and put it on? What's the best way to determine if it's the upper or lower joint that's bad or the tie rod? And you are right it's very annoying.

Kona

P.S. thanks for getting back with me on this

 

[edward]

brake noise

i know exactly what you are describing with your front brakes. I've got a 95 limited and it was doing exactly what you are describing. Luckily i had an extended warranty with the dealer, and after diagnosis they replaced both
hubs. I didnt notice that grinding feeling after so i think the diagnosis was right.

Its been 2 years now and guess what "ITS BACK". now i dont have any warranties. Only thing is, its intermittent. It only happens on passenger side
front. What i did notice though was after a front complete brake job, pads
rotors, the right side pads front and rear were more worn than the left side
front and rear. I was thinking that the system is whacked and more pressure is put on the right side.

so here's what i have experienced in relation to your problem.

 

[stretch]

What's the best way to determine if it's the upper or lower joint that's bad or the tie rod?

I had my X up on jack stands and then had a friend cycle the suspension up and down with a jack while I listened to see where the squeaking was coming from. That's how I determined that my lower ball joint needed replaced.

 

[konaboy]

Thanks Guys.

Where's a good site to look for recalls? I want to see if there is still an open recall on the timing chain/cam shaft tensioner.


Kona

 

[nitsocymmot]

I had a noise like that on my 97 xlt

It got louder when I stepped on the brake. It turned out to be cupped tires caused by worn out parts in the front end. I thought it was the brakes because it sounded like grinding, but then had the tires rotated and the noise went away but then came back in a month or so. My shop then suggested that it was the tires making the noise and the cause of the tire cupping was worn shocks and bad lower ball joints. I replaced the shocks at sears, and ordered moog lowerball joints from rock auto. They were cheaper than OEM, have zerk fittings on them so they can be greased and have no stupid rubber boots on them to dry out and crack. The sound has been gone for 6 months now, so here's hoping! The best thing to do about recalls is find them at http://www.alldata.com then google, search here and ask you local service manager about them.

 

[konaboy]

Yeah I replaced my tires because they were cupping and getting to that point anyway. Had discover AT's on and found out when I went to get new ones that particular tire was discontinued because of cupping problems went with the Discover HT's much much quieter riding tire! I'm thinking next thing is the ball joints after having replaced shocks and rotors (both needed to be done they were still factory shocks and rotors, pads had been replaced a few times) Shop I was dealing with reccommended after market ball joints as well to get the zerk fittings so the joint could be greased. Lower joints were the ones replaced 2 years ago not the uppers, I was just going over my repair file here. The noise does'nt get any worse under braking but if you let off the gas after acceleration and coast you can here it pretty good.

I'm not complaining I love the car it's just aggravating trying to pinpoint the problem.

Kona

 

[konaboy]

Update

Well I haven't had a chance to get it up off the wheels (I really need to invent something to stop time so I can get stuff done! )to isolate the problem but a new one crept up this morning and I'm pretty sure it's related. I went to do a turnaround (u turn) in the driveway at work today and had the wheel turned all the way to the left, when I went up the curb to the driveway apron I heard a nice popping sound from the drivers front side and it's reproduceable. Haven't noticed it doing the same thing to the right but I know something is really not right now Regardless if I have time or not looks like I need to make some to get this figured out now.

Kona