I ordered a set of new lower ball joints for my '01 ST. I plan to also do the upper control arms this winter or spring. The squeaking is driving me nuts. I also had the set of almost new Michelin LTX tires, that I found on CL last fall for cheap, mounted and put on my daughter's 2000 Mountaineer.
Thursday Update:
I received my lower ball joints from RA yesterday and started working on the ST this afternoon. I knew the lower's BJ's were bad, but it turns out the uppers are even worse. I ordered the upper control arms from RA this evening. I decided that it's also time for a front pads while I'm in there. Although my brakes had been working okay the pads were 7/8th's gone and the pins were totally dry and rusty. More joy.
BTW, An excellent way to check for play in the upper BJ is with the tire off and the suspension at normal ride height, put a ratchet on the pinch bolt and move it back and forth. I knew the uppers had some play, but using the ratchet on the pinch bolt made the play very obvious.
Friday Update:
I got the driver's side apart today. The upper control arm bolts were a PITA. They wanted to get hung up on the upper shock tower and wouldn't fully withdraw from the control arm. If the bolts were a little bit shorter they would have come out much easier. I don't recall having this problem when I replaced the control arms on my '01 Eddie Bauer a few years ago. I finally got them out after about 20 mins of wiggling and rotating the bolts. I may cut a 1/2" off of each bolt before I reinstall them. I then installed both of the lower BJ's and purchased my new front brake pads.
Now I'm waiting on RA to deliver the new upper control arms, which have an ETA of next Tues.
I need a set of those! They look much better and stronger. My OEM ones aren't holding up to the abuse I've put them through lately.Getting rid of the ugly running boards and replacing with step bars that I'm modifying to fit the ST.
Sunday Update:
I re-Installed my steering knuckles on the new lower ball joints. I also installed my new ceramic brake pads and new brake hardware. I noticed the bushings on my OE style front sway bar end-links were in pretty bad condition. I will replace them with Moog polyurethane bushing end-links at some point in the near future, but for now I rebuilt the links from bushings I had lying around the garage. Now all I have to do is install the new upper control arms when they arrive, which shouldn't take me more than around 30-45 mins. I can't wait to take it for a quite, squeak-free ride. I'll worry about the wheel alignment later.
Changed the oil in my son's white V6 ST and found coolant on the oil pan. Looks like its coming from the passenger side front. Possible head gasket?? Whats your thoughts?? I have been adding coolant a little here and there for about a year. Truck has 215k on it. Runs real good still and no check engine light. Sorry for the poor picture.View attachment 94106