Upper control arm bushings
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Upper control arm bushings
Is it normal for the upper control arm bushings to have cracks in the rubber @ 35,000 miles? I have noticed that when I hit a dip when it is cold that there is a squeak in the front end. Kinda like an old Maverick with worn out bushings. 
It is a 2001 F150 XLT SuperCab OffRoad 4x4 5.4L 4R70W 3.55ls gears.
Jimmy
It is a 2001 F150 XLT SuperCab OffRoad 4x4 5.4L 4R70W 3.55ls gears.
Jimmy
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When I replaced my stock arms with adjustables, the stock bushings had cracks in them and I didnt hear them ever make any noises. That rubber cracks fairly easily, but I believe that it is only surface damage and that the interior of the bushing is alright. They shouldnt make any noises. Are you sure that this is what you hear?
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It sounds like it. There is no noise when turning the wheel, so that rules out the tie-rod ends, I would think.
It is pretty stiff so it takes a pretty good dip in the road to actually get the front end to travel down much.
It is pretty stiff so it takes a pretty good dip in the road to actually get the front end to travel down much.
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Hey LxMan1 my truck has 6700 miles and the upper control arm bushings have checks (cracks) in them as well. I think it' just surface cracks. And a big YES on that noise when it's cold out, it does sound like an old Maverick when you go over a speed bump. It just means it's still tight, He He
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If the noise bothers you that much, you could buy some adjustable arms that use ball joints. What length are the arms and what is the inner width of the mount? Are there rubber bushings on both ends (are they both the same)?
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Jimmy make sure you get it checked out before your warranty goes pumpkin on you.
Ball joints and tie rod ends can both make noise when going over bumps and not just when turning. They can be hard to track down sometimes though.
Ball joints and tie rod ends can both make noise when going over bumps and not just when turning. They can be hard to track down sometimes though.
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I'd take it in before the warranty runs out and tell them about the squeek. I'm sure they'll replace something, probably the bushings. That's what they did on mine. This will allow you to stretch the warranty out a bit, because you can always take it back and say "the squeek is still there" and it should be covered because it was first brought in during the warranty period.
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That is my plan as soon as the weather breaks a bit. It's been so snowy or rainy here that it isn't as bad due to the moisture in the air.
Next week, the old 77 is going to hit the road again. I miss the power of that old 460
Jimmy
Next week, the old 77 is going to hit the road again. I miss the power of that old 460
Jimmy
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