Creaking front suspension!
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Creaking front suspension!
2001 crew cab f250 psd 4x4 7.3 stock height and tires
When I go over a speed bump or a pothole, there is terrible grinding/creaking fron the front suspension. I have new Bilsteins, so that's not it. Visual inspection reveals nothing except maybe the stabilizer bar mounts and linkage. Is it the ball joints? Thanks!!
When I go over a speed bump or a pothole, there is terrible grinding/creaking fron the front suspension. I have new Bilsteins, so that's not it. Visual inspection reveals nothing except maybe the stabilizer bar mounts and linkage. Is it the ball joints? Thanks!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
It's ball joints on mine. Started creaking last summer and I quieted it down temporarily by injecting some 5th wheel slide lube in the boot.
An interesting side note. Nobody carries F 550 ball joints except the dealer.
Expecting to be very expensive I gulped and called up Bill Pierre Ford to order the ball joints and it was less than $200.00 for a full set of four and they all have Zerk fittings now.
An interesting side note. Nobody carries F 550 ball joints except the dealer.
Expecting to be very expensive I gulped and called up Bill Pierre Ford to order the ball joints and it was less than $200.00 for a full set of four and they all have Zerk fittings now.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
My leaf springs used to squeek about 5 years ago. Believe it or not I "fixed" the problem with repeated WD-40 dousings on the bushings. If you want to try this route, park somewhere other than your driveway when you spray them.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: South Louisiana
Check the rubber bumpers under the front end (I don't know what they are called) I had something like that happen on by 2000, My son checked it out and found one of them was very soft and broken up. Seem like fuel leaks on them and get it soft. After he changed it the noise went away, Hope this helps...
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
I have found two things that caused it on mine. First time around, squeak or screeking sound over speed bumps was the bushings for the sway bar. Replaced those, no more noise for speed bumps. Just this last year, I had a really annoying creak sound on the passenger side, turns out when I had put the new poly bushings in for the front leafs to slide on, some dirt got stuck in the poly and caused the creaking actions. I used a pry bar to separate the leafs some, used compressed air to blow all of it out, then but a generous coating of white lithium grease on it. No noise since, at least not related to those areas. If it ever warms up I need to address the track bar bushings as well as the passenger ball joints.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Huntington, WV
Sounds like sway bar bushings to me. You can disconnect your sway bar and see if it stops making the noise. Here's a link for a set of poly bushings. http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...E5186&cat=3859
Stu
Stu
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
I had a squeak in front leaf springs. This was the fix:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...hp?tsb=99-16-3
My 99 didn't even have the isolators.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...hp?tsb=99-16-3
My 99 didn't even have the isolators.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 89
The TSB says "A "squeaking" noise may be heard from the front springs as they compress during driving on some vehicles. This may be due to debris imbedding between the front spring tip isolators and the front springs."
So you clean the leafs and grease them? How do you get them apart?
So you clean the leafs and grease them? How do you get them apart?
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 89
Ah good tip. I know its not my ball joints or struts as all are new or relatively new.
I will try this. One Ford truck mechanic told me to grease the leaf springs. I can I can put a can of WD40 through them but that stuff is too thin.
I will try this. One Ford truck mechanic told me to grease the leaf springs. I can I can put a can of WD40 through them but that stuff is too thin.
SPONSOR
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 711
Likes: 6
From: Souderton
Definitely check the spring eye bushings, see if they are still intact. The tip inserts at the very end of the lvs could be wiped out causing the springs to rub against each other, that usually makes a really nice sound!
I wouldn't spray or grease everything at once. Do one at a time and see where the problem is coming from.
I wouldn't spray or grease everything at once. Do one at a time and see where the problem is coming from.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 89
Definitely check the spring eye bushings, see if they are still intact. The tip inserts at the very end of the lvs could be wiped out causing the springs to rub against each other, that usually makes a really nice sound!
I wouldn't spray or grease everything at once. Do one at a time and see where the problem is coming from.
I wouldn't spray or grease everything at once. Do one at a time and see where the problem is coming from.
