Seriously Squeaky Question, Help!

[Mad Max]

2 days ago my drivers side front wheel area developed what I can only call a strange sqeaking sound. It is loud, sounds more rubbery than metalic, and does occur while driving and when turning while moving slow. It is more pronounced when the suspension is moving up and down during driving. Sitting still it is kind of hit or miss. I have not noticed any change in the "feel" of how the explorer drives, it's just anoying as hell. No pot holes have been hit, and no, the wife didn't drive it. It just started out of the blue. Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks.

 

[daffy]

When mine did this it was the lower balljoint. Describes it to a T.

To diagnose mine, I held on to the nut at the bottom, while someone rocked the X, I could feel every squeak.

 

[95junktruck]

Can I ask if you figured out the problem?

Mine just started doing the exact same thing?

Does anyone know if there is another way to diagnose the ball joint.

I tried what was described in the second post but I can feel the groaning in all of the parts connected to the knuckle.

Thanks

and sorry I do not mean to hijack this post

 

[MisterX67]

I have the exact same problem, the exact same side. Luckily I work part time as a tech and we have three full time master techs on staff. I had them go out and take a look at it for me to confirm my suspension and all three said the same thing; lower ball joint. Now for the fun part; replacing the lower ball joint on my 99 AWD V8 is going to be a nightmare, and I have all the tools needed. I've decided I'm just going to replace everything; upper and lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, stabilizers, all of it, at one time.

 

[skidoofan]

I would definitely say it is the lower ball joint on the driver's side. We just had the same issue with my son's 96 on the passenger side. Made a heck of a racket with all the squeaking, etc. I took it to my local mechanic who put it on their hoist. He showed me what was going on. I had it replaced yesterday at their shop. The cost for replacement of lower ball joint, and axle seal on that side, along with transfer case/shaft seal was $265.00. The axle seal was bad and they replaced as they had it out to replace ball joint. The transfer case/shaft seal was something we noticed when we were looking to buy it. Wasn't a huge deal or expense, just thought it was a good time to replace when I had it in the shop.

 

[97greenmonster]

Yea, mine just started doing that to. We had a ROUGH winter lots of frozen snow on the ground. Is this an easy DIY job or no?

 

[97greenmonster]

I just read their not replaceable, you need to replace the entier control arm. What happenes if you dont?

 

[97greenmonster]

I would definitely say it is the lower ball joint on the driver's side. We just had the same issue with my son's 96 on the passenger side. Made a heck of a racket with all the squeaking, etc. I took it to my local mechanic who put it on their hoist. He showed me what was going on. I had it replaced yesterday at their shop. The cost for replacement of lower ball joint, and axle seal on that side, along with transfer case/shaft seal was $265.00. The axle seal was bad and they replaced as they had it out to replace ball joint. The transfer case/shaft seal was something we noticed when we were looking to buy it. Wasn't a huge deal or expense, just thought it was a good time to replace when I had it in the shop.

How much did only the ball joint cost?? did they only replace the ball joint, or the entier control arm?

 

[daffy]

Moog makes grease-able, replaceable ball joints, there are a few write-ups, not real difficult.

I think they're about $35 for the lowers, $90 for the uppers.

Don't need to replace the whole lower arm like Ford says.

 

[97greenmonster]

k cool. I called a trusted mechanic and he said 220 for one lower. i still yet to get a price quote on the tensioner, every place wants me to bring it in.

 

[joe doe]

sometimes its the control arm bushings making that noise too.to inspect the ball joint you need to raise that side off the ground until the tire is free from the ground.now get a friend to take a bar under the tire and pull up on it while you watch the balljoint action from underneath.a bad joint will be noticeable.you will see the free play by eye ....if you dont see movement in the ball joint ,then its your control arm bushings ...they can be very noisy.and not a do it yourself kinda job either .you need spring clamps to do this job(control arm bushings)if you have never done them ,dont bother ,send it out .you will glad you did.

 

[Bigg_billy]

And sometimes the upper ball joint is the squeaker. If you take the control arm off be sure to mark the adjusters location or you'll be adding an alignment to the process.