Front End Squeeking - 01' Sport trac, HELP PLZ!

[JMDetermann]

I have a 2001 Explorer Sport trac. (63,000 mis)

I am having loud sqeek while driving. I have had it inspected by three different mechanics and keep getting conflicting information. One said it was Bushings (probably control arm bushings, this guy says it for sure isn't ball joints). Another mech tells me its upper ball joints. I have another telling me it's lower ball joints.

It's an obnoxious creak/metal on metal sounding squeek from the front end.

If I reach up and grab the roof rack and shake it, you can hear it really well.
You can also hear it loudly while driving over any bumps. Also when turning the steering wheel while idle, or braking hard enough to make the front end drop down.

The sound seems to be coming mostly from the front drivers side.

ANy feedback would be great. ANyone else hear of this?!

-Jon

[JMDetermann]

I have also noticed it seems to be more noticable on certain days...I don't know if humidity plays a factor, or what.

-Jon

[Fuely]

Ball joints is the likely cause of the squeaking. Look at the rubber boots on the ball joints you will probably find the boots are deteriorating and there is no more grease there.

[JMDetermann]

Thanks for the info. I have actually had the vehicle on a jack, but didnt feel any movement in the wheel, I've even used a metal bar for extra leverage and presure to see if there is movement in the wheel. I didn't see any.

Also... I can grab the roof rack and sway the vehicle from side to side with the engine off and I still hear the sound. Engine running doesn't play a factor in the sound.

I can even here it creaking alittle when I get out of the car (the weight of my body tansfering from the vehicle to the ground). And I am 170 lbs.

Thanks for the response.

Any more info or ideas would be greatly appreciated! I wanna fix this.

-Jon

[shorod]

Ford has had an issue with their "maintenance-free" ball joints and tie rod ends squeaking over time. I suspect, as Fuely mentioned, the ball joints are the issue. I've seen this numerous times on Fords, and not one time were the components loose enough to be a safety concern.

The way I track it down is to poke a small pick into the rubber boot, then push the straw from my aerosol can of white lithium grease into the hole. I do a quick squirt of grease into one boot, then take the car for a short drive. If the noise is gone, I found the part that needs to be replaced. If not, I try another boot, until I find the one that is causing the noise.

-Rod

[JMDetermann]

hrm............

[JMDetermann]

Wanted to update: The noise has gone away since we have hit cold weather here. However, we had a couple days in the 50's-60's degrees and the squeeking came back, so I know it's still there. Then back to 20's-40's and no squeeking.

Maybe this added info will help somone to determine the problem?

[shorod]

Have you tried any of the suggestions posted above?

-Rod

[97explorersport]

Originally Posted by shorod

Have you tried any of the suggestions posted above?

-Rod

I have a 1997 ExplorerSport with the same problem. I found out that it is the bushings on the lower control arms. I soaked them with PB BLaster and that took the rust out and made it better. I went through the same thing i.e. Ball joints/upper control arms/torsion bars and arms. But in the end it was the lower arm bushings. Check for torque on the nuts too. Good luck. Remember PB Blaster works better than WD 40

[denisb]

If you know someone with an alignment hoist (so you can lift the truck in the air with the weight still on the wheels). Get a piece of gas line or a metal rod, hold one end up to your ear and the other end up to the suspected ball joint, bushing or whatever and have someone shake the vehicle up and down or side to side and see where the squeak is louder.

Denis