Strut issue?

[Gino]

My 2001 Explorer, has recently developed a completely irritating squeaking/squaking when driving down the road.

I'm not a mechanic, but I figured it was coming from the struts, every time the tires have to readjust their position, or I apply the brakes and the truck shifts weight, or accelorate....

Its like my undercarriage starts groaning.

Its gotten to the point where I can't drive with my windows down because all I hear is...

Squeak squeak squeak squak squeak squeak as the Explo bounces up and down with the road.

 

[brickwall]

Explorers don't have struts, only shocks. Sounds like a dry ball joint if it's squeaking over bumps

 

[Dan Whitaker]

It could be several things.

Upper or lower control arm bushings

Sway bar bushings

Torsion bars

 

[ThePhoenix]

its a crap shoot....could be any or all...

I have same issue...thinking of replacing it all...

 

[Gino]

Thank you for the info!

Definately takin this bad boy to the shop.
:exp:

 

[BrianDye]

mine does the same thing
(my 92)
I wish I could afford to get the whole front end done, it really needs it lol

 

[ThePhoenix]

I did the math...with all parts I need its $500...or I can shop do just the ball joints for $450...seems like a no brainer...but I am still hesitant to do it myself as this is our ONLY vehicle.

would be nice to have a complete new front end

 

[gijoecam]

Could be a lot of things... Suspension parts including ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar links or bushings, torsion bars (exceptionally rare), and leaf springs and/or bushings could all cause squeaking over bumps. None of them are particularly difficult to replace.

 

[Fabbed4d88]

Start off small..remove and lube the bushings on your swaybar and it's end links. If that doesn't fix it then worry about parts you have to pay for.

 

[alohamonte]

start cheap. grease the ball joints ($10) and replace the sway bar endlinks ($25). both are easily done in your driveway.

$450 for ball joints is cheap. i had my lowers quoted for $700+ last summer. i bought a complete rebuild kit and saved myself a bundle.