I'm new to this forum, but have found TONS of useful info so far. I was hoping someone could help me out with troubleshooting the squeak I hear in the front driverside of my 97' Ford PSD. I saw my springs were shot, so I replaced them, and the shocks in the front. I then wasn't happy with the hieght I gained with the new leafs, so I put a add a leaf on it. I replace the Leaf mounting shackles, bushings etc... Still with I hit a pot hole it sqeaks. So I checked the cab mounts, and they look like new. I like to consider myself mechanically inclined...but I've exhausted any other ideas...everything looks straight. Any ideas. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

check the rivots on the spring mounts at the frame, but usually they clunk, not squeek.

when you say you replaced all the hangars and bushings did you also replace the bushings up front on the hangers by the bumper that mount inside the frame rail?

also is this a 250 or a 350? if its a 250 then you have axle pivot brackets that could be squeeking.

3rd, does it have sway bars? check the bushings on them as well

 

It's a 250, and I replaced the bushings on the front next to the bumper where it drops down to the actual hanger. I haven't really considered the rivets cause they looked solid. But I haven't checked out the pivot brackets. What a silly design by the way...those twin I beam front ends. Wish I had to cash to put a solid front end on. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to check it out tomarrow.

 

i am really happy with the independent front axles, they ride smoother in my opinion and when you go 4 wheeling they are more agile then the straight axles.

craw under and take a good look at the pivot bushings, you may find they look horribly displaced. mine where god awful, had to look twice because i couldnt beleive how bad they really were

 

what kind of headache am I gettin myself into if they need fixed and how much did it cost to repair? Kinda workin on a limited budget being a full time student, with a part time job.

 

the pivot bushings are i think 20 bucks from lmctruckparts.com and they are not too bad to replace if you have tools, they can get pretty well rusted in place like spring bushings do, some cussing screaming and beating is likely. beer helps

 

i'm sorry, 9.95 a set
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.asp?page=120

 

well I can afford that, and I work at sears in the tool dept. so I got tools. Looks like I need to make a trip to the beer distributer before they close. wonder if I'll gain any clearance after I replace them. Did you notice any difference in hieght?

 

well I can afford that, and I work at sears in the tool dept. so I got tools. Looks like I need to make a trip to the beer distributer before they close. wonder if I'll gain any clearance after I replace them. Did you notice any difference in hieght?

 

no ride height difference even if they are completly shot, it may handle better if they are bad though. got to figure if they are wore out then they are letting the axles shift around under load. crawl under and take a look.

 

I'm sure they haven't been touched sense the truck was new, so I'm just gonna order them, and go from there. Thanks for the help...and the links. Glad it's a cheap fix.

 

it wouldnt hurt to see if they are bad first. they may be fine, i'm just pointing it out as a possibility

 

so I looked under the truck today, and the pivot arms look fine. Now I'm back to not having a clue.

 

Let me know if you find the problem. I have been looking since last fall for the squeek, crunch thing. I was convinced it was the leaf springs .. duhh, but you now have new ones. This thing is driving me nuts !!!!!!

 

keep us updated! My truck klunks pops and squeeks.