Suspension Groan Going over Speed Bumps

[Joe DeVola]

2004 Explorer XLT 134k miles

About three months ago we starting getting a combination groan and squeak (mostly groan though) in the front end after going over speed tables/bumps in our neighborhood. This past weekend we had to take the car to get the tires rotated and oil changed so we asked the guys to look at the front end and tell us what was wrong. They called and said the car needed new ball joints. So I said OK. The ticket says "Ball Joints, Upper Both".

Guess what? That didn't fix it. Has anyone else have a similar problem on the front end of their Explorer?

 

[swshawaii]

Check both front sway bar FRAME bushings. Use silicone spray where they contact.
If so, remove and grease them or replace. Measure diameter with a crescent wrench.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374494&highlight=sway+bar+bushings
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285772

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1427767,parttype,7624

 

[wbrudi28]

had the same thing, i could go check my service records but from my memory it was the upper control arms.

 

[SUL73NAZ]

I have the same squeaking from my explorer. It has Rancho Quick Lifts on all 4 corners, BTF Uniball Upper Control Arms and No Sway bar. It still squeaks! :/

 

[HiImBrian]

I have the same squeaking and it is coming from the Lower Arm Bushings and a lower ball joint on the passenger side. I checked it with a can of white lithium grease.

 

[Joe DeVola]

Thank you for all of the replies. I've got an appointment Friday with the "front end expert" that wasn't working last Saturday at which time I'll listen to what he has to say.

 

[Joe DeVola]

I have the same squeaking and it is coming from the Lower Arm Bushings and a lower ball joint on the passenger side. I checked it with a can of white lithium grease.

How did you check it with a can of grease. Did you spray them and the squeaking went away, at least temporarily?

 

[HiImBrian]

How did you check it with a can of grease. Did you spray them and the squeaking went away, at least temporarily?

Yup.

WD-40 has their new professional line of white lithium grease. I bought a can and crawled underneath, then had somebody stand on my brush guard and bounce up and down as I sprayed it. It went away so, that's the problem.

 

[SUL73NAZ]

Naturally it would be the last thing/only thing i haven't replaced. I will try the lithium grease as well.

 

[zerodevil]

Sqeeking is fine, if it is grinding/binding then you have a problem. Apply a generous amount of WD-40 to all exposed bushings, and follow with a coat of General purpose grease.

 

[iamdestruktor]

Should i remove the bushings in order to spray the WD40? Or can i just spray over the general area?

 

[HiImBrian]

Nah leave them on. Just use the straw to get in there really good.