Loud Metalic sqeaking/Front left wheel area

[giddiupstang]

Hey guys, I am hearing a loud metallic squeak coming from the front left wheel of my Stang. Could it be my struts or maybe some other suspension component. I mainly hear it when I turn the steering right and left, sitting still. I can also hear it while driving when turning the wheel.
Details of car: 97 GT with original struts/shocks. Replc springs with Ford Racing C springs. Front dropped about 1.5" rear about 1" - 18" Chrome Saleens - 265/35 front 285/35 rear... Just started about a month ago and is very annoying and embarrassing...

Any Ideas???

 

[Wes8398]

sounds a lot like a tie rod to me. if it's squeaking WHILE you're turning the wheel, it's a tie rod. If you bounce the suspension up and down (by hand) and it squeaks, it's obviously a strut/shock/spring. From your explanation I'm really leaning toward a tie rod issue.

 

[DTNODYA]

sounds a lot like a tie rod to me. if it's squeaking WHILE you're turning the wheel, it's a tie rod. If you bounce the suspension up and down (by hand) and it squeaks, it's obviously a strut/shock/spring. From your explanation I'm really leaning toward a tie rod issue.

+1

It could possibly be a wheel bearing also but I'd check out ^^ first.

 

[giddiupstang]

sounds a lot like a tie rod to me. if it's squeaking WHILE you're turning the wheel, it's a tie rod. If you bounce the suspension up and down (by hand) and it squeaks, it's obviously a strut/shock/spring. From your explanation I'm really leaning toward a tie rod issue.

Actually you're right. When I bounce the suspension I get little to no squeaks, even when riding over bumps. I here the most noise when turning the wheel. Could this have been caused from me lowering the car? I did not use CC plates because the drop up front was not going to exceed 1.5inches...

 

[96BlueStangGT]

Ball Joint possibly. Mine squeaked when i turned the wheel. The grease in it came out because the boot had a hole in it. I sealed it up with RTV, and shot some grease in it with a needle. There are zero squeaks now. Look and see if the ball joint boot has a hole in it.

 

[04YELLOWGT]

I would say its a wheel bearing. When I first bought mine it did the exact same thing I took it in to Ford and they said that alot of 94-04 Stangs had that problem. They had it fixed in a few hours.

 

[giddiupstang]

Ball Joint possibly. Mine squeaked when i turned the wheel. The grease in it came out because the boot had a hole in it. I sealed it up with RTV, and shot some grease in it with a needle. There are zero squeaks now. Look and see if the ball joint boot has a hole in it.

Thanks for the idea. I will give that a try.

 

[giddiupstang]

I would say its a wheel bearing. When I first bought mine it did the exact same thing I took it in to Ford and they said that alot of 94-04 Stangs had that problem. They had it fixed in a few hours.

How much did that set you back if I may ask?

 

[Wes8398]

ball joints typically cause a howling sound while driving too though - right around 80KM/h (50MPH?). And this howling will be worse when weight is shifted to that side of the car by turning. If you're pulling into a parking spot (typically you're moving slow, so this is a good example) and as you're turning the wheel you're hearing the squeak, I can almost guarantee you that it's a tie rod. I wouldn't say lowering the car would cause your tie rod (tie rod end) to go, but a lower car would change the angle on the tie rod end, so that could have contributed to an already worn part.
To avoid all the guess work, take your car to a local Mufflerman or Speedy or something of that sort, and have them take the car around the block. They don't charge for it, and they'll give you their best educated guess on what is wrong. Get them to give you a quote, make them think you might get the work done there, and when you have the quote in your hand say thanks and you'll need a week or so to save up the money. Then just do the job in your driveway. I'm tellin ya, it really really sounds like a tie rod (or tie rod end) from your description. To verify the ball joint suggestion, jack your car up so the wheel's off the ground, put one hand at 12:00 and one hand at 6:00, then try to shake the wheel. If you have significant play (it moves when you push on the top and pull at the bottom or vice versa) then you have a worn ball joint. I really don't think that's it though. Take it to a shop that does free inspections - best thing you can do.

 

[giddiupstang]

ball joints typically cause a howling sound while driving too though - right around 80KM/h (50MPH?). And this howling will be worse when weight is shifted to that side of the car by turning. If you're pulling into a parking spot (typically you're moving slow, so this is a good example) and as you're turning the wheel you're hearing the squeak, I can almost guarantee you that it's a tie rod. I wouldn't say lowering the car would cause your tie rod (tie rod end) to go, but a lower car would change the angle on the tie rod end, so that could have contributed to an already worn part.
To avoid all the guess work, take your car to a local Mufflerman or Speedy or something of that sort, and have them take the car around the block. They don't charge for it, and they'll give you their best educated guess on what is wrong. Get them to give you a quote, make them think you might get the work done there, and when you have the quote in your hand say thanks and you'll need a week or so to save up the money. Then just do the job in your driveway. I'm tellin ya, it really really sounds like a tie rod (or tie rod end) from your description. To verify the ball joint suggestion, jack your car up so the wheel's off the ground, put one hand at 12:00 and one hand at 6:00, then try to shake the wheel. If you have significant play (it moves when you push on the top and pull at the bottom or vice versa) then you have a worn ball joint. I really don't think that's it though. Take it to a shop that does free inspections - best thing you can do.

Will try it out this weekend. Thanks

 

[04YELLOWGT]

How much did that set you back if I may ask?

Under warranty so free. I would take it to ford explain what you hear or show them and Im sure they could tell you. The guys in my town are cool and always fix little things for me for free, even now since my warranty is ....well....void. lol

 

[GiddiLeftRightStang]

You’re anytime. Make sure to keep your stang giddied up

Your welcome I meant

 

[nickyb]

Your welcome I meant

It's 13 years old ???????

 

[Shuttleman83]

Check dust shields first, then move on to other more serious issues.