[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Jun-02 AT 12:12 PM (EST)]Greetings and hallucinations!

I own a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT (4WD) with about 85k miles on it.

During the last several months I've noticed progressively more squeaks
coming from underneath the vehicle. It's particularly noticeable when
I'm driving at moderate speeds (e.g. 30 mph) over a somewhat wavy or
bumpy road. I can also produce the the annoying sounds when the truck is parked by standing next to it and rocking it from side to side with my arms.

What are the likely parts that need to be replaced? I made a couple
calls to service stations and was told that none of the suspension parts on this model can be lubricated.

I'll appreciate any tips you can give me.

 

Any chance it's not the suspension, but loose body mounts squeaking? Happened to me once on an S-10 (go figure).

Bill

 

Thanks for responses.

I believe I have narrowed the problem to a part Ford calls the "rear axle lateral shock absorber."

I had my lovely wife rock the vehicle back and forth while I searched underneath for the sound. Seems to be coming from the above mentioned shock.

Since it's not one of the main rear shocks, I'm thinking about removing it to confirm that it's the source of the squeaks before springing for a new one. Good or bad idea?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Jul-02 AT 05:24 PM (EST)]I'm not familliar with the so-called "rear axle lateral shock absorber" but is there any chance that it is squeaking because the mounting bolts are loose? Have you checked them? Otherwise, I couldn't see any harm in removing it and doing the "wife-assisted squeak test".

Bill

Speaking of the wife-assisted squeak test, there was this one time we were on vacation, and the bed in the motel.........

 

I removed the "rear axle lateral shock absorber" and went for a test drive. Still heard those terrible squeaks. :-(

The shock was a little squeaky, which I took care of by cleaning and lubing the mount points, but it wasn't the source of THE squeaks I've been hearing.

Time for another "wife-assisted squeak test...."

>Greetings and hallucinations!
>
>I own a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT (4WD) with about 85k miles on
>it.
>
>During the last several months I've noticed progressively
>more squeaks
>coming from underneath the vehicle. It's particularly
>noticeable when
>I'm driving at moderate speeds (e.g. 30 mph) over a somewhat
>wavy or
>bumpy road. I can also produce the the annoying sounds when
>the truck is parked by standing next to it and rocking it
>from side to side with my arms.
>
>What are the likely parts that need to be replaced? I made a
>couple
>calls to service stations and was told that none of the
>suspension parts on this model can be lubricated.
>
>I'll appreciate any tips you can give me.

 

I'm having the exact same problem with our newly purchased 97 sport trac that when I move the truck from side to side I get this knocking/clunk sound. I'm on vacation next week and this irritation is my priority find and fix for the week.I'll keep you posted.

 

Luckily, mine isn't knocking or clunking, yet. Just squeaky.

I'm beginning to think it may indeed be a ball joint as suggested in a previous post. The seal (or boot) around the ball joint on the right side is torn, which lends credence to this theory.


>I'm having the exact same problem with our newly purchased
>97 sport trac that when I move the truck from side to side I
>get this knocking/clunk sound. I'm on vacation next week and
>this irritation is my priority find and fix for the
>week.I'll keep you posted.

 

Thanks for responses.

It is confirmed: it's bad lower-right ball joint. The dust boot has a gaping gash in it, and the joint sits almost half an inch lower than the other side.

When I got underneath that area and rocked the truck up and down, I could feel the vibration on the control arm around the ball joint as it squeaked. I took it into one shop for a diagnosis (without telling them of my own findings), and they confirmed my suspicions.

"akrenzer" said in an earlier post (in "Explorer" forum) that the whole control has to be replaced, which is also what the Chilton manual says. But I called a couple of shops who said the lower ball joints are just pressed in, and can be replaced with the right equipment.

First quote: $250 (parts/labor)
Second quote: $225 (parts/labor)

Both shops said there's a 50/50 chance an alignment would be necessary after the work (another $60 to $90).

 

 

I have a 1995 Explorer. The original ball joints had no grease fittings. If your joints are badly worn and show motion, they need replaced. In my case, I drilled a 7/32 hole in the top of the joint socket. Used a 1/4" 28 thread NF tap ($3.50), and installed a grease fitting available at a part store for 50 cents. I didn't even have to remove the wheel to do this. Greased the joint; solved the squeak and it took less than one hour. PS this car has 237,000 miles and still doesn't use oil . . . best car I ever owned.