00 Explorer Squeak and vibration on front drivers side

[daveExplorer]

The past month, I have noticed a vibration with anything over 55mph and a squeak that comes on with the vibration at that point. The squeak also appears when hitting bumps at any speed. I just got the tires balanced and it hasn't fixed the vibration or the squeak. I did go through a couple of creeks prior to the problem but don't know if that would cause this. I am not sure if the problem is coming from the bearings, struts, or what. If anyone has an idea it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Projet]

Check your upper and lower ball joints.The lowers are a common repair at about 40K due to ball joint seal failure to keep out the bad weather elements.

[daveExplorer]

The left lower ball joint has some play in it I found, but the squeak was actually coming from the fuse box under the hood. One of the screws was stripped, easy fix. Reading in my Haynes manual, it says that you have to replace the lower control arm if you are going to replace the ball joint, is that true? I looked at parts at Napa and they just have a ball joint, not attached to the lower control arm. Thanks for the reply

[bumpinkicker04]

Originally Posted by daveExplorer

The left lower ball joint has some play in it I found, but the squeak was actually coming from the fuse box under the hood. One of the screws was stripped, easy fix. Reading in my Haynes manual, it says that you have to replace the lower control arm if you are going to replace the ball joint, is that true? I looked at parts at Napa and they just have a ball joint, not attached to the lower control arm. Thanks for the reply

Nope pops right out with the press you can borrow from autozone. The only Thing I had a problem with was that to get enough play in the steering knuckle to get it off the ball joint I had to pull the halfshafts. Good luck if you have any more questions let me know.

[bumpinkicker04]

Originally Posted by bumpinkicker04

Nope pops right out with the press you can borrow from autozone. The only Thing I had a problem with was that to get enough play in the steering knuckle to get it off the ball joint I had to pull the halfshafts. Good luck if you have any more questions let me know.

Sorry I forgot there is a snap ring that you have to take off before you can take the balljoint out.