Slight squeak from front 1999 Windstar 3.8

[xiaodoupi]

Hi there,

I heard a slight squeak noise fron front end, when low speed driving. Sounds not really horrible, but annoying, and I wish to find out the real cause before it turn worse. It's not easy to describe what the noise sounds like. I am also afraid inaccurate description will mislead you guys.
I can hear it at low speed, seems not relates to steering. At higher speed, it dissapears, not sure really gone or covered by other noise.
And, when I just parked, and kick the tire, the same noise can be reproduced. But when I tried to kick next day, no more noise.

Anyone has same experience?

Thanks buddies

[12Ounce]

I would draw your attention to the cam shaft position "synchronizer"...its a squeaker when the lubricant dries out. It can be removed and lubricated ... not difficult, but there are some steps to be followed or there will be much trouble. Even if this is not your noise maker at the moment ...good to know about it and plan some maintenance. Just do a search.

[xiaodoupi]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

I would draw your attention to the cam shaft position "synchronizer"...its a squeaker when the lubricant dries out. It can be removed and lubricated ... not difficult, but there are some steps to be followed or there will be much trouble. Even if this is not your noise maker at the moment ...good to know about it and plan some maintenance. Just do a search.

Thanks for the reply.
Here is a vedio on youtube. Do you mean this squeak noise caused by camshaft position synchronizer? My noise is different, more slight. I feel it's linked to wheel rotation, it appears when the car stared to move at low speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFVp35JyB0k

[xiaodoupi]

Some addition:

If I suddenly kick the front tires laterally, the same slight squeak noise reproduced. Similar with slipery driving belt.

Maybe it's a pretty question for those guys who familiar with suspension. A lot of things need to learn.

Any idea? Many thanks

[12Ounce]

Have you ever replaced the anti-sway bar bushings and end-links?

[xiaodoupi]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

Have you ever replaced the anti-sway bar bushings and end-links?

nope.

I tried again today. when just parked, if I kick the tire hardly, the same noise will appear.
But after several hours, it doesn't make any noise when I kick the tire.

[scubacat]

It could be a number of things, including even the brakes. You're going to have to do a bit more investigation.

What if you jack up the front and grab the wheel on either side and shake it back and forth? Does that reproduce the issue? If so, you might try disconnecting the sway bar link or brakes and trying to reproduce it that way. Process of elimination, I'm afraid.

[xiaodoupi]

Originally Posted by scubacat

It could be a number of things, including even the brakes. You're going to have to do a bit more investigation.

What if you jack up the front and grab the wheel on either side and shake it back and forth? Does that reproduce the issue? If so, you might try disconnecting the sway bar link or brakes and trying to reproduce it that way. Process of elimination, I'm afraid.

Thanks for the advice. I will try it tomorrow.

[scubacat]

If you hear the noise while you shake the tire, try to lean around and see where it's coming from. You can also crawl behind with a flashlight and get a helper to move the tire. I'm usually able to do it on my own but having some assistance never hurts.

[tomj76]

From your description it seems that the sound is connected when the vehicle is moving more than when the engine is running. If the van is stopped, do you never hear the noise?

If that's the case, I think 12Ounce is headed in the right direction. There are places in the front suspension where rubber slides against metal. They can squeak as the vehicle is moving. I had one of those squeaks that I could never pin down. Like yours, it didn't seem to be related to steering, and I could only hear it at low speeds. I couldn't even say with certainty that it was due to rough road conditions. It finally disappeared when I replaced part of the front suspension. I think it might have been the anti-sway bar bushings, but it could have been the tie rod ends, control arms, or the sway bar links.

[xiaodoupi]

Thanks for everyone replied and provided useful advice.
Finally I found it comes from the engine mounts. When I push and pull the frame when I set it to N and released parking brake, the noise reproduced and even louder.
I started a new thread:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul....php?t=1139058