hey all. i have a 95 v-6 that has a bad sqeaking noise in the front suspension and was wondering if its a bad ball joint? I mean it sounds aweful! The seal on the ball joint is bad...cracked and such....
how easy is it to replace???
First off...The seal on the outside of the balljoint (known as a dust boot),it's simply there to keep foreign material from getting into the balljoint.A boot that is cracked and worn does not mean that the balljoint is bad.It's very common for these boots to get worn out like that.
Does the car shake a lot? You need to check the ball joints to be sure they are faulty.To do this,jack the front end of the car up and set it it on jackstands.Do not perform this test while the car is sitting on a jack alone as the car is liable to tip off the jack.After you have set the car up,firmly grab the very top and bottom of the wheel and attempt to push in at the top while trying to pull out at the bottom and vice versa.Basically your trying to move the wheel in and out from top to bottom.Use some force,as if you were trying to wiggle a stuck wheel off the hub but with the lug nuts on of course.If there is any movement or noise then the ball joint needs to be replaced.
While you allready have the car up on jackstands,check the steering components for wear.To do this,instead of pulling in and out on the top and bottom of the wheel,do this on the left and right sides....push in at right while trying to pull out at the left side...then vice versa.Make sure your steering wheel is locked.There will be very little movement,if any at all.Excess movement or noise could indicate either inner or outer tierods worn out.
On a side note regarding the ball joints.I've never heard of them squeaking before.And as far as replacing them.They aren't as easy as U2SLO450 noted.They can be beaten out with a hammer (sledge).But I'd reccomend using a ball joint removal tool.Basically a heavy duty metal bar with a fork on the end.New ball joints MUST be pressed in at a machine shop.You can NOT get them in yourself....unless you own a press.
it most likely is your ball joint. I had the same issue with my 98 on the right side. Mine may have been caused by my stiff lowering springs, but seems to be an issue for the majority of mustangs. I would maybe look into getting the Steeda ball joints perhaps, they should hold up better and you might as well since you will probably have to replace them.
Yeah like mustanglx-5.0 said, take it to a shop and have them pressed in and out if you don't own a press. I had Meineke do mine for $25. It beat the hell out of alot of hammering and beating the crap unintentionally out of something if I were to miss.