'99 Windstar Front End Noise

I just got this van. When I test drove it last week, I guess I didn't adequately test tight right hand and left turns or it has developed a noise since. I never hear the noise going straight, but when I make a moving right hand turn, it sounds like a suspension-type noise (low pitch creak, NOT high pitched or groan) at about halfway thru the turn, even when turning slow as into my driveway.

I did check the fluid and it was not bright red, brown-ish red so I took it to get the fluid changed today. I had the mechanic do the power flush, disconnecting return line, cranking, filling, etc. Used Mobil 1 Synthetic Mercon/MerconV, the multi-vehicle fluid. Fluid looks great now, it was a perfect exchange.

Driving home I am noticing the same noise when turning left now. I am guessing that having the van lifted up shifted things around a bit. It really sounds like my struts or something in the steering assembly, rather than the power steering pump, but I have to admit the only failure I have had in the past on other vehicles resulted in obvious pump groaning, but still, I just don't think it is the pump.

I don't get any noise if I am turning the wheel at a standstill under power (neither was there any noise when it was on the lift turning left and right) and neither do I get any when bouncing the car either over bumps or at a standstill, only on slow turns.

Any ideas?

Going through the receipts from the previous owner:

Replaced Sway Bar Link Pin Kit
1/3/05 @64,911 (Recommended replacing subframe mounts)

Replaced Upper Subframe Mounts
Parts: Qty: 4 Description: ABS ASY924362
This was done 1/6/05 @64,954 miles

Inspect the links ... perhaps only one side was replaced. Look for ripped dust boots. Links are now avail with grease fittings (Advance Auto, etc)

Also inspect the outer tie rod ends, if the boots are torn ... replace tie rod ends with ones that have grease fittings.

I think this symptom MAY be temperature related. It was worse after driving quite a bit and is barely noticeable when I first get in and drive. A troubleshooting guide I have says possibly the steering gear or high pressure hose. The problem is the noise itself is dead on as a suspension related creaking, it appears as I turn to the left and right while moving.

I remember the mechanic inspecting the suspension components on the lift, but will do this myself again. I clearly remember noting that some of the boots looked collapsed. None were torn or cracked and the underside was generally in very nice shape for its age. For the collapsed boots, sounds like this "grease needle" approach may be something to try.

Other than that sway bar link, all other parts are probably original. I am liking the idea to lube the outer tie rod. Where on the boot would be the best place to inject the grease? From the top with the needle angled down kind of makes sense and from the tire side rather than from the engine side, less splashing there possibly or would that actually be worse? Any thoughts?

I insert the grease needle from the back of the boot since its the easiest access and is somewhat protected from water etc. as you drive.

it could be the upper strut plate mounts
I took my winsdtar to the dealer to make sure and they conformed this
Good luck

I had the same exact noise come from my '99. Wasn't as bad when the vehicle was cold but worsen as the vehicle was driven more. I thought it was also the power steering fluid, but I took it to the dealer and they had to replace the tie rods. They also recommended an alignment at this point. Total cost about $225. Good Luck!

I inspected the sway bar links and both look new. I also injected grease into the tie rod ends. The problem is still there, a creaking type noise when slowly turning left or right. The problem is intermittent and since it is not horribly loud, I will probably live with it rather than go on a wild goose chase replacing parts. Perhaps these front ends are just noisy?

I am sure it is the strut plates, I did the same with mine and the nouse was sdtill there, nothing gto do till it gets unbearable , too loud or yopu need to change your shocks. By the way , the noise is more noticable when the car is hot , or hot outside . Am I right ?
Cheers Jim

I am sure it is the strut plates, I did the same with mine and the nouse was sdtill there, nothing gto do till it gets unbearable , too loud or yopu need to change your shocks. By the way , the noise is more noticable when the car is hot , or hot outside . Am I right ?
Cheers Jim

I have not owned the car enough to say. I do know that right after it was put on a four post lift, it was very noisy, but it has settled down since.

Before you do anything else, check all the front end parts for tightness. My 2000 Windstar had a nasty suspension noise going on, and it turned out to be nothing more than a loose bolt on the control arm.

Hi all,

I am having this issue as of this weekend.

It sounds like the noise is coming from the drive side strut.

Is there any way dirt/road crap can get trapped some where and cause a grind noise? If so, can cleaning resolve it?

I had the same problem on my 2000 a while back and it was just the way you decribed it (a creaking noise at low speed) it was the tie rods. the Ford guy I delt with told me that the new tie rods were an Upgrade part from the original and actually showed me both parts(old part was shorter than the new one). Since then I've never had that problem again and since your winnie is a 99, it probably has the old tie rods attached. Hope this helps.

P.S. If I remember correctly there is a TSB on this problem.