Very Squeaky Front End Suspension

[captdade]

I have a 98 explorer V6. Recently the suspension has started squeaking excessively. The squeak is very high pitched and frequent when on a rough road or in turns. Any ideas on how to remedy this? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Hunz]

I have recenly stumbled upon the same problem with my 98 v6 explorer as well. I am willing to bet it is the front shocks. The only reason I have not done the job already is do to money. I have 173,000 miles on my exploder which puts these shocks way over their wear life. A pair should only run you about $60, for me its not that imperative they get fixed right now but good luck to you bud

 

[ericautopart]

Could be a number of things, bushings, shocks, ball joints, etc etc etc..Stuff wears out and there is a lot of moving parts in the front end.

 

[captdade]

Yeah, mines got 185,000 miles on it. Not a big deal if it squeaks but thought it might be something common I could fix without spending a lot of time and money trouble shooting. Thanks for the help!

 

[AtlantaBlue]

Squaky Front End

I have the same problem. Dealer said it "might be" front tie rods. I think he was trolling for work...

 

[Mikeri]

I fixed my two squeaks by spraying silicon into the bushings; and, having someone turn the wheel as I placed my finger on the lower ball joints to find the location of the squeak. You will feel it. I used a needle grease nipple and refilled the ball joints. Hope this helps.

 

[Danson]

Sway bar bushings?

 

[Carguy3J]

Sway bar bushings?

That would be my first guess. Give them a good look, with the truck on the ground, and with the suspension unloaded. The endlinks will be the most likely to have worn out. Another clue, besides the sudden squeking, can be a "wobbely" feeling on the highway and/or over bumps/rough roads.

 

[AtlantaBlue]

No "wobbly" feeling at either highway or city speeds, tracks the road like a champ, and doesn't have the feeling of a vehicle out of alignment... Appreciate the thought of the bushings, will have to check that out...

 

[jordan87]

just had this same problem on my 01 XLT...the lower balljoints were TRASH...i replaced them last saturday(i dont work weekends so no labor cost) and the squeak was gone. hope this helps

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Have to concur with Jordan. Balljoints didnt seem to be bad, but used a mechanics stethoscope ($4 at Harbor Freight). Sound was coming from the Lower Drivers Side Balljoint. Replace both lowers today, sound gone.

 

[jordan87]

Another way to check that's free is:
Get some pipe or pole of some sort
Take a jack and jack up one side by the lower a arm
Slide the pipe or pole under the tire and pry up
Have a friend watch the balljoints to see if the spindle moves up and down with the a arm not moving
If one or both don't move but the spindle does u have a bad balljoint(s)