Squeaking from front end

[taburch]

I have a squeeking noise coming from the front end no able to pin point exact location but it only squeeks over bumps there is about 120000 miles I think it has to do with the struts still OEM or the neoprene bushing. I dont know for sure which one it is but i dont want to purchase the Quick lifts struts unless that is the for sure issue.

Does anybody have any idea please let me know if its not what it think it is.

 

[HiImBrian]

Just crawl under there with a can of WD-40, start spraying and use process of elimination until you find the squeak.

 

[Exproblems]

I have a squeeking noise coming from the front end no able to pin point exact location but it only squeeks over bumps there is about 120000 miles I think it has to do with the struts still OEM or the neoprene bushing. I dont know for sure which one it is but i dont want to purchase the Quick lifts struts unless that is the for sure issue.

Does anybody have any idea please let me know if its not what it think it is.

Check the struts for leaking hydraulic fluid. If not leaking or anything broken on them, they are still good. Check the springs for cracks or breaks. My mechanic who has over 30+ years in the auto repair business, told me these 3rd gen Explorers are known for noisey(creaky) factory spring/strut assemblies when they get higher miles on them, but are still good as long as none of the other things I mentioned above are bad with them. I have 93k on mine and they creak a little going up or down hilly driveway entrances but are not leaking and still intact. The front sway bar bushings may need to be greased and make sure the stabilizer bars are not broken.

 

[Donystoy]

I second the sway bar bushings. I replaced mine and squeek is gone. A quick test would be to spray wd40 in them as previously mentioned.

 

[Ronin8002]

3 votes for swaybar bushings (the ones mounted to the underside of the frame rails). WD40 is a quick fix, but I found it wears off quickly. A longer term fix would be to remove them, clean them off with soapy water to get all the gunk off, and then grease them with white lithium or marine grease before reinstalling.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I thought Wd40 would eat away at rubber/bushing and make things worse? Something like marine grease or water resistant grease would be better.

 

[Ronin8002]

I thought Wd40 would eat away at rubber/bushing and make things worse? Something like marine grease or water resistant grease would be better.

Mine are made of some sort of polyurethane so I don't think it will eat away at them. Have heard it will dry them out and lead to more squeaking in the long run though. IMO grease is the way to go, like you said.

If you have a grease gun with a needle attachment you might just be able to squeeze the grease in there without removing the bushing brackets.

 

[HiImBrian]

For the record I just suggested WD-40 to find the problem as everyone has it just laying around... I personally use white lithium grease on mine.