Loud squeeking (Front end) Plz Help!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Loud squeeking (Front end) Plz Help!
I have a 2001 Explorer Sport trac.
I am having loud embarasing sqeek while driving. I have had it inspected by three different mechanics and keep getting conflicting information. One said it was Bushings (probably control arm bushings, this guy said it for sure isn't ball joints). Another mech tells me its upper ball joints. I have another telling me it's lower ball joints.
It's kinda like a creak/metal on metal sounding squeek from the front end.
If I reach up and grab the roof rack and shake it, you can hear it really well.
You can also hear it loudly while driving over any bumps. Also when turning the steering wheel while idle, or braking hard enough to make the front end drop down.
ANy feedback would be great. ANyone else hear of this?!
-Jon<!-- / message -->
I am having loud embarasing sqeek while driving. I have had it inspected by three different mechanics and keep getting conflicting information. One said it was Bushings (probably control arm bushings, this guy said it for sure isn't ball joints). Another mech tells me its upper ball joints. I have another telling me it's lower ball joints.
It's kinda like a creak/metal on metal sounding squeek from the front end.
If I reach up and grab the roof rack and shake it, you can hear it really well.
You can also hear it loudly while driving over any bumps. Also when turning the steering wheel while idle, or braking hard enough to make the front end drop down.
ANy feedback would be great. ANyone else hear of this?!
-Jon<!-- / message -->
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
My guess is a tie rod end. Have somebody run the engine and recreate the noise by turning the wheels (make sure it's in park with the parking brake on so you don't get run over) and crawl underneath and grab the tie rods one at a time. You should actually 'feel' the vibration resonate through the tie rod.. trust me you'll know if you feel it. If it seems smooth but you still hear the squeeking, try grabbing the upper control arm near the ball joint and then the lowers...
Also a stethoscope may help if you have one, problem is the noise often travels through the suspension and can fool you sometimes.
If still not sure you can try slitting the boots just a little and spraying some lubrication in there... let it work its way in and it should temporarily cure the noise.
90% of these I run into is an outer tie rod end. Very easy to replace, but strongly recommend an alignment (toe set) afterwards.
Good luck
Also a stethoscope may help if you have one, problem is the noise often travels through the suspension and can fool you sometimes.
If still not sure you can try slitting the boots just a little and spraying some lubrication in there... let it work its way in and it should temporarily cure the noise.
90% of these I run into is an outer tie rod end. Very easy to replace, but strongly recommend an alignment (toe set) afterwards.
Good luck
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore
Does it make the noise if you grab the roof rack with the engine off? If so, I suspect control arm bushings. Most front end shop should be able to figure this out. Try squirting some wd40 on the bushings while someone is rocking the truck to see if it quites down a bit. This should help you isolate the problem.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
The description thats been given matches my problems not too long ago on my 00 Explorer, to a T infact..In my case the ball joints were shot..i had about 1/8 inch play on drivers side and almost 1/4 inch play on passenger side...i would try jacking the front of your suv up and grab the tires and try to move them up and down...if u can..then i would say ball joints..if your not sure..try to take a look while you or someone else is doing it...always a good idea not to work under a car without someone elses help or supervision...hope this helps..
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I have actually had the vehicle on a jack, but didnt feel any movement in the wheel, I've even used a metal bar for extra leverage and presure to see if there is movement in the wheel. I didn't see any.
Also...Yes I can grab the roof rack and sway the vehicle from side to side with the engine off and I still hear the sound.
I can even here it creaking alittle when I get out of the car (the weight of my body tansfering from the vehicle to the ground). And I am 170 lbs.
Thanks guys for the responses.
Any more info or ideas would be greatly appreciated! I wanna fix this.
-Jon
Also...Yes I can grab the roof rack and sway the vehicle from side to side with the engine off and I still hear the sound.
I can even here it creaking alittle when I get out of the car (the weight of my body tansfering from the vehicle to the ground). And I am 170 lbs.
Thanks guys for the responses.
Any more info or ideas would be greatly appreciated! I wanna fix this.
-Jon
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
If anyone else has had or is experiencing a similar problem please let me know what has or what is being done to resolve the issue.
Thanks.
Thanks.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
i had trouble with the stabalizer bar bushings attached to the main frame. took brackets off, put antisieze on them and reinstalled. --- you need two guys, one to rock the truck, other to lay under and listne, feel for the noise. spraying WD40 on a few joints to see if it changes pitch will help narrow it donw. you can wedge the WD40 spray plastic tube into the bushings to lube them, you can push the tube inside the ball joint sockets to lube them.. see what makes a difference in noise.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Wanted to update: The noise has gone away since we have hit cold weather here. However, we had a couple days in the 50's-60's degrees and the squeeking came back, so I know it's still there. Then back to 20's-40's and no squeeking.
Maybe this added info will help somone to determine the problem?
Maybe this added info will help somone to determine the problem?
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I had the same annoying noise on my 99. It is the upper control arm bushings. The only way I could make the noise go away was when I oiled it for winter I sprayed the bushings with a serious amount of oil(wanted to make sure they were soaked).
That was 3 years ago and the noise never came back.
That was 3 years ago and the noise never came back.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 23
From: Tennessee
My Mountaineer has this noise but it is more pronounced in cold weather going over a speed bump. I replaced the lower ball joints and have now replaced the shocks and it is still there. Both of these were worn out but it did not solve the squeak. The squeak is not as loud but I think it is because I have to slow down more now on a speed bump with the new shocks.