Another question, I have a 04 FX4 and it has a fairly noticeable squeak (rubber squeaking sound) but it could be louder at times , could it be U joints?

 

Where does it sound like it's coming from? My tailgate squeaks like a sob confused me for a long time

 

Hard too tell but it something that is going around because squeak, squeak, squeak..would a drive shaft have a rubber squeak? seems louder once I drive it abit when it's hotter?

 

check your belt under the hood...

 

My squeak was the drivers side IWE, but I also had grinding, and no 4wd.

 

Check your end link sway bar bushings

 

Thanks guys, the squeak is something that is turning because its not a constant squeak..and not the fan belt..

 

My guess is a worn tie rod end. Had it happen on my escape and it was a rubbery type sounding squeak seeming to come up through the steering column. A quick easy fix of replacing the worn tie rod end and the squeak was gone. I wouldn't have even thought to look there until I brought it for an alignment and they let me know (wouldn't align it until it was fixed).

 

Can you pinpoint the sound by doing some isolation movements? I had a squeak coming from underneath my truck towards the back. It only happened when I was in reverse and it seriously took a few days to pinpoint exactly what it was but it turned out to be a bad u joint. Basically one of the caps had dried out and was causing a squeak every time it turned so it wasnt constant. I belive that the 04's have stamped u joints so replacing them could be a bear if it turns out that they are bad.