Our 2000 Expedition Eddie Bauer has about 150K miles on it now and has been making a squeaking noise from what sounds like the front end. The noise has been around for a while, but I keep putting off fixing it. Now that it's warming up and she has the windows down she said she's going to bug me until I fix it this time! For some odd reason she said its embarassing going to the grocery and work with the vehicle squeaking over speed bumps!!!???? The squeak or creak noise is most noticeable driving over speed bumps or basically any unlevel surface. The noise can also be heard when coming to a stop or turning. It even makes the noise when you climb up to get in. To me it sounds like it's mostly coming from the front driver's side, but you know how that goes, and I'm not great at pinpointing noises like that anyway.

It still has the factory ball joints but I've checked them a few times and they don't seem to have any play in them to me.

Any ideas on what to check or known common causes of this?

 

With the original lower ball joints I would say they are dried out and that is your problem. That seems to be the most common reason for front end squeaks.

 

sounds like control arm bushings probably uppers they dry out as well, they,re rubber so after 11 years it's probably time

 

Excellent, thanks for the info guys!

 

The other squeek generator for the front is the sway bar. Check the bushings at the frame and ends.

 

Great, thanks 2trux!