Very bad sqeaking from front suspension

[Texplorer]

I went and played around in a little bit of mud yesturday, nothing major just slashing around and today my suspension started sqeaking very, very loudly. Everytime the suspension moves it sounds like an old door hinge. I cleaned all the mud out to try to see where it was coming from but I couldnt tell. It is definitely coming from the passenger side a-arm area. I would like to get some opinions before I take it in and try to get scammed by these people where I live.

 

[Flounder]

Ball joints perhaps... I've had mine go and had an annoying, loud squeaking whenever the suspension seemed to move at all.

 

[88vert]

Could be ball joints got some water in them and now formed rust

 

[Texplorer]

So if it is a ball joint that means I have to get the whole control arm replaced correct?

 

[ok89]

mine did that and it turned out to be swaybar bushings

 

[Texplorer]

I was actually looking at those but they were just replaced a couple of months ago with the swaybar links, but hopefully it is something that minor.

 

[Texplorer]

Well, I found something that wasnt right. Just to be sure you know what Im talking about, its the rubber thing in between the bottom side of the lower control arm where the spindle connects to the control arm. It has a rip in the rubber and maybe water got in there and rusting is causing the squeaking???

 

[Texplorer]

New development in my sqeaking problem and its not a good one either. Now I have a high pitched squealing sound when I turn half way to full lock to the right. So now I got sqeaking when the suspension moves and squealing when I turn to the right. I hope nothing else decides to start making noises anytime soon.

 

[Jason_25]

Dag on I go mudding all the time and mine hasn't made a peep!

Oh yeah, the rubber thing, It's the lower balljoint

 

[Texplorer]

Thanks Jason, I just wanted to make sure I had it correct. Trusty ole Haynes manual says I am going to have to replace the whole lower control arm. Is this correct?

 

[Jason_25]

That's correct. When you buy one it will come with the lower control arm. Or was that the upper? Can't remember but I think it was the lower.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Originally posted by Jason_25
That's correct. When you buy one it will come with the lower control arm. Or was that the upper? Can't remember but I think it was the lower.

Nope you don't have to even take out the lower arm. Just the balljoint. It's easy to take out just take out the c-clip and hammer it out.

 

[Jason_25]

But I'm sure that when I called and asked for new balljoints they said that I either needed a new upper or lower control arm to go with it. I can't remember.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

Originally posted by Jason_25
But I'm sure that when I called and asked for new balljoints they said that I either needed a new upper or lower control arm to go with it. I can't remember.

Yeah the uppers is the whole control arm.

 

[Texplorer]

Well, I just got back from Ford and I have bad news. About $1500 worth of it. They said I needed a new upper control arm, new lower control arm, new lower steering shaft and a new shock.
And I thought it was just a ball joint. They said there is play in both control arms and steering shaft, and when I asked what was causing the sqeaking they said it could be a combination of all of those things.

 

[410Fortune]

Get a secind opinion form a good frame/axle shop, the dealer is always way over on these things, dont be surprised to find out you can get the same work done for about 1/2 that...

Man the more I hear about it the less I like that new IFS.....

 

[Texplorer]

I would love to get another opinion but I really dont feel like paying $100 everytime.

 

[410Fortune]

Estimates are free everywhere but at the dealer...shop around, call around, use the info Ford gave you and get estimates over the phone.

So Ford tells you you need these parts, call other shops and tell them what Ford said, they will be lower then the dealer and probably have a better warranty...

 

[Texplorer]

I am defenitly going to look around more to see if I can find somewhere cheaper but you also have to remember where I live, nothing here is free and eveyone tries to pull one over on you. At least that has been my experiences.

 

[Texplorer]

Well, after ford looked at it and told me what was wrong but couldnt tell me what was squeaking I started wondering why, after I left Ford it wasnt squeaking anymore. It has been about a week now and the squeaking hasnt come back either. I am going to still take it somewhere else tomorrow because Ford now has me worried that my whole damn suspension is going to fall off.