2000 Windstar Steering Noise

[southsider]

Hi, I have a 2000 Ford Windstar with 108k on it. It makes a awful noise when I turn to the right only. It sounds like a rubberband being stretched really far, I don't know how else to describe it. Hubby took it in for an oil change and they said it was the right ball joint. I have been searching these forums and see that quite a few have had luck with greasing the tie rod ends. Was wondering if we should try this or just trust the mechanic (we don't normally go to them) and pay the just about $300 to replace the ball joint. Any opinions please? We are not really 'car' people....Thanks

[outwheelin]

Is it making a clicking noise when you turn? If so it sounds like a cv joint to me. A ball joint will make a "clunking" noise.

[catvents]

Originally Posted by southsider

Hi, I have a 2000 Ford Windstar with 108k on it. It makes a awful noise when I turn to the right only. It sounds like a rubberband being stretched really far, I don't know how else to describe it. Hubby took it in for an oil change and they said it was the right ball joint. I have been searching these forums and see that quite a few have had luck with greasing the tie rod ends. Was wondering if we should try this or just trust the mechanic (we don't normally go to them) and pay the just about $300 to replace the ball joint. Any opinions please? We are not really 'car' people....Thanks

I had the same problem one year ago; my 2001 Windstar has more than 100K miles. This problem last for a few weeks and disappeared suddenly. I expect that this will come back one of this day. I have lifted the tie rod end from the steering knukle but it was not the problem. My wife went in the van and very slowly turn the steering wheel ( on the side where the noise seem to come ) while I was holding the front spring and this "rubber noise" seem to come from the top of the strut so I really suspect the top bearing.
This is my story and it could be different for you. I have not done the job yet but I will do it soon while I will change the front shock and the top bearing.
You can try the little test that I did. The ball joint is at the bottom of the steering knuckle so if you do the test and the noise doesn't come from the buttom your Ball joint are probably not the problem.
We will see what the other poeple think about that.

[southsider]

It does not make a 'clicking' noise nor a 'clunking' noise. Kinda like a rubber on rubber noise. Very annoying - kinda whining.

[wiswind]

As mentioned.....more than a few joints are in motion on each side of the vehicle when the wheels are turned. The bearing at the top of the strut / spring unit, the lower ball joint, and the tie rod end. Any one of these can be causing the sound..... along with a few other suspects.

I have seen that the complete lower control arm is often replaced for the lower ball joint repair.....as the ball joint is part of that unit. Comes down to the added cost of the complete unit versus the added labor cost to have the old ball joint pressed out and the new one pressed in.

I would consider the "Grease needle" to be a preventative maintenance measure if you catch it before damage is done to the joint, but not a fix for a worn joint.

[southsider]

Thank you for your responses, I really appreciate your time. Will let you know what happens

[OldFaithful]

I too have a couple of 2000 Windstars to maintain and I have replaced the tie rod ends, twice on both vehicles because of this "rubber" noise. It is common on these sealed ball joints such as the tie rod ends, that as they wear, they make this noise that sounds like the ball is twisting in a dry rubber socket.

The last time that I changed them, I used the NAPA tie rods ends which have grease fittings to replace the worn noisey Fords ones. As I remember both cars were between 30,000 and 40,000 miles when this first came up and again at about 70,000 miles for each. They now have about 140,000 on them now and no noise so far.

CAUTION If you replace anything with parts that have grease fittings, you have to remind who ever changes the oil to grease them. The fast oil change places do a quick "oil change and lube" for you but they assumn that all of the joints in the steering system are sealed and they will not look for grease fittings unless you remind them even though it is supposed to be included with the lub service.

And, if you replace any of these joints in the steering system, a front end alignment is a must to prevent undue tire wear.

Good luck.

Jim

[so2315]

I too had the same troubles with my 2000 at 75K miles. I replaced both outer tie rod ends, flushed the power steering fluid which I highly recomend, and when I went to get it aligned the mechanic said the inner tie rod end was bad too. Had that replaced and now all is well.
A side note on the PS fluid: my rack and pinion was making a bad noise steering to the right. The fluid was coal black and burnt. I flushed with the help on this site and that made a huge difference!!!!

[wiswind]

The correct fluid to use for the power steering will be ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). Depending on the year, it will be Mercon (newer years) or "type F" (older years). Do NOT use "power steering fluid" from the auto part stores, as it is NOT the right stuff.
I believe, 2000 would be "Mercon" ATF for the power steering.
If you can get a synthetic, that would be even better, for heat tolerance and cold flow.

[southsider]

I would like to thank everyone for your help. We took the van in to someone highly recommended (turned out to be a great guy) and he greased the tie-rod ends and that got rid of the noise. He said since there was no 'play' in the steering he figured we had a while to replace the ends. So, we are going with that for now. Just thought I'd give an update. I love these boards!

[lscottjohn]

I am having similar issues with my 99 Windstar SEL, 125k miles. Anyone near the Dallas area recommend a good shop to have it checked out?