Hello. Been a while since my last visit. Hope everyone's well.

Quick question about Bubba (1996 E350, 460). He's recently developed quite a bit of squeakiness that I assume is from a suspension or body bushing or three. If you've ever seen the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Squeaky Boots", it sounds exactly like that. Definitely in the front, not related to whether the engine is running or not. I hear it at low speeds and no speeds, probably happens at higher speeds but the van's too loud to notice it. Any ideas on which bushings to start with, typical suspect-wise?

 

Just trying to get a few more details

Does it squeak when you are stopped and turn the wheels from right to left? Does it squeak if you are driving straight ahead on a smooth surface? If the van is sitting and you try to bounce the front end by perhaps putting your weight on the front bumper, does it squeak? Is there a rotational pattern to it like as the wheels turn?

 

It's not rotational. It happens even when I get step up to get in the van. It's also not one-note. It's a lot of squeaks at different pitches, like a creaking staircase, or a squeaky boot- any time you wiggle the van it will do it. I don't have a great way with words do if I'm not describing it well, sorry.

 

Thinking about what can be ruled out.
Well if it's not rotational then that should rule out wheel bearings or brakes. Squeaking when rocking the van should rule out ball joints as they normally squeak when the wheels are turned right or left... It should also rule out tie rod ends even though they do move slightly with the movement of the suspension.
The stock rubber radius arm bushings normally don't squeak but tend to make a metal to metal bumping sound when they are worn out...

I would guess that it is the axle pivot bushings, shocks, spring insulators, or stabilizer bar bushings. I am more familiar with the 80's econoline suspension but the 90's suspension is not all that different.. E350's are pretty high off the ground so maybe you could lay under the van on each side while someone rocked the van back and forth and get a better idea of what might be going on? Open one of the doors and have someone stand outside and rock the van by the open door is a easy way do it... A reputable mechanic shop with an alignment shop might check it for free for you... Don't go to a chain tire store,, A shop that works on big trucks would be best...
I changed the tie rod ends on my van and before going on a trip and thought, oh the local tire store can set the toe in because that is all that is needed on my van... Nope, they have readjusted it 3 times now and i still am having tire wear issues!

 

Posting current mileage and what (if any) front suspension work has been done recently or over the time you've own this van would be helpful.

Annaleigh's ideas about suspension bushings et al is a great starting point. Crawl under the van near the radius arm, have a robust friend mount and demount from the driver's side while you listen for the squeaks point of origin.

Any factory original bushing or soft mount could cause this problem. The solution can't be known until where it's coming from is answered.

 

I'll get around under it when the weather relents. 146k, and no suspension work done in the 10-ish years of my ownership other than shocks 4 years or so ago. It does sit high enough to wiggle under without lifting, and it's currently on skates because I had to rotate it to get it in position in the garage for some overdue maintenance (tune up, etc), so it's even a little higher than normal currently. Thanks for the replies.