99 F150 4x4 4.6 106K

Some Help Needed!!! I think it is the front left squeaking. I have a squeal/grinding noise, can hear it very lightly while going at a slow speed (under 20mph) ... When I hit the brakes to come to a slow stop from about 30 till stopped i have a griding/squealing sound that I have narrowed down to the front left but much louder than without brakes applied. Changed both front pads and rotors and noise hasent gone away also checked to make sure the backing plate wasent rubbing and that the caliper wasn't hanging up. I checked all of the boots and nothing looks ripped.

Problem is slowly driving my nuts
Any help or advice on figuring it out is appreciated.

 

Sounds like a ball joint squeaking to me.

 

Yeah sounds like a dry ball joint. Go to Autozone or similar and buy a grease needle. Put the grease needle in the grease gun, and stick the needle into the ball joint boot,and fill the ball joint full of grease. Some say you need the weight off the vehicle to do this.

 

Thanks I am going to try greasing the ball joints today ..... hopefully will be the problem or let me know that I have to do the ball joints all together

Thanks again
Bill

 

I just replaced my upper control arms and lower ball joints in my '97 and I still have some squeaking. I am going to have someone listen to the other steering joints later today to determine which is causing it. Someone mentioned that it may be my pitman arm. Whatever is squeaking is getting replaced!!!

Smitty

 

I am going to replace all four tie rod ends and the pitman arm. That should take care of my squeaks!!! The idler arm has grease fittings on it so it should be ok.

Smitty

 

My 97 has a very noticeable squeak from the bell crank / idler pivot on the right side, I have also changed a left lower con arm due to noise transfer.

 

"Squeak" or "squeal/griding noise" are not the symptoms I think of when I suspect bad ball joints. IMO ball joints tend to clunk or creak when they going bad. "Grinding noise" always makes me think rotation, so does "squealing". None of the 'ball' joints in steering/suspension gear 'sound' suspect to me. Got to match the noise with wheel speed or inputs to suspension/steering.

Presumably you changed all 4 pads "Changed both front pads" & not just the "front left"? Of course we're curious about the condition of the rotors & more importantly the calipers? Still should've changed any brake sound. A 9 YO 4X4 could easily have wheel bearing issues. Keep in mind there are no free wheel hubs & the flex shafts spin. These CV joints tend to click & chatter when protesting.

Have noticed several fans of grease 'needles' have posted about greasing 'lubed for life' joints & recommended buying Zerk needles. Have used them for decades. Old suspect joints can also often be revived using the common pump oil can or spray lube you have. It may ultimately soften the 'boot' which isn't always a bad thing, but can seep in & silence a creaking ball joint mighty fast.

Suspension bushings are notorious for squeaking & also respond to lube. Silicone might be safest, you can try to dish soap or whatever you got basically-to attempt to renew the rubber & locate the noise maker.