Creaking Noise, Need Help!
#1
Creaking Noise, Need Help!
I have a 98 f150 4x4 with a 4.6. 282xxx on the body and 90xxx on the drivetrain. Recently my truck started making creaking and squeaking noises coming from the front end that bugs the crap out of me. They are the worst when going slow and hitting small bumps and turning the wheel. I think it might be ball joints but it seems like something attached to steering too. Any suggestions? Thanks!
The following users liked this post:
matchT (07-25-2012)
#2
Junior Member
Not sure why the thank you is on my previous post....but I have learned through this forum's "how to" remove and replace the upper control arm and lower ball joint.
I had an annoying squeeking noise from front left wheel, every bump, could rock the truck back and forth manually and hear the squeeking. As my wife manually rocked it, i sprayed every moving part with wd40 with no luck. I could not simulate if I jacked up, only with tires on the ground.
Worth the $80bucks to do it yourself and get tools from autozone for loan free. My guess is your truck needs replacement of upper control arm and lower ball joint.
Match
I had an annoying squeeking noise from front left wheel, every bump, could rock the truck back and forth manually and hear the squeeking. As my wife manually rocked it, i sprayed every moving part with wd40 with no luck. I could not simulate if I jacked up, only with tires on the ground.
Worth the $80bucks to do it yourself and get tools from autozone for loan free. My guess is your truck needs replacement of upper control arm and lower ball joint.
Match
#3
Senior Member
I'd try what matchT tried but I'd invest in a stethoscope-much easier to pinpoint noises when you have one. Could be any component in the susp which contains a joint. Also the stabilizer links and bushings can cause this.
#5
Originally Posted by BigWhite
I have a 98 f150 4x4 with a 4.6. 282xxx on the body and 90xxx on the drivetrain. Recently my truck started making creaking and squeaking noises coming from the front end that bugs the crap out of me. They are the worst when going slow and hitting small bumps and turning the wheel. I think it might be ball joints but it seems like something attached to steering too. Any suggestions? Thanks!
#6
Don't bother with shocks on bushings- 9 out of 10 times this is ball joint. Look for a ripped boot and/or a dry joint. If it has a grease fitting, try greasing them. Otherwise I would highly recommend all four balljoints at once- especially with almost 300k on the suspension.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
This was my squeaking (driveing me crazy ball joints)! Ha I knew they were bad but untill I looked at them I had no idea how bad so my advice is if they squeaking don't keep driveing it. Check it out ASAP! They could be about to fall apart
#9
Junior Member
I also suspected the shocks, so I removed them and still had the same noise. Hope you can find the issue.
I noticed the other side has an occasional squeak/thunk when vehicle settles. My newly acquired exprience tells me the ball joints are bad.
Interesting to note that the lower ball joint is replaceable but the upper ball joint it is best to purchase the whole uper control arm assembly. Pricing the the upper ball joint I noticed the whole arm assembly with ball joint is just as much as just the ball joint alone. Might as well have the contol arm bushings replaced\ by getting the whole assembly. On the lower control arm the price is steep so it is cheaper to just replace ball joint. all this based on autozone prices.
Matcht
I noticed the other side has an occasional squeak/thunk when vehicle settles. My newly acquired exprience tells me the ball joints are bad.
Interesting to note that the lower ball joint is replaceable but the upper ball joint it is best to purchase the whole uper control arm assembly. Pricing the the upper ball joint I noticed the whole arm assembly with ball joint is just as much as just the ball joint alone. Might as well have the contol arm bushings replaced\ by getting the whole assembly. On the lower control arm the price is steep so it is cheaper to just replace ball joint. all this based on autozone prices.
Matcht