Creaking sound from front drivers side…

[85GTKid]

If i push down on the drivers side front the car makes a loud creakin noise in that are and i can also hear it slightly over my exhause when driving and i hit bumps. What would cause this? Struts and springs are only a year old. Possible the strut is going bad?

 

[1Fine89]

Could be your struts, but it's more likely your ball joints. The OEM ball joints have no grease fittings, and can run dry and creak after a number of years.

Do you hear any creaking when turning the front wheels, as well as when you go over bumps? If you do, it might be a sign that the ball joint needs lubrication/replacement.

 

[Js5ohLX]

I'd say ball joints or tie rod ends, very common with fords.

 

[85GTKid]

thanks this far. anyone else? I have done many things to my car but never the joints....expensive to have done? what do you mean by the tie rod ends? do they need lubed also?

 

[Na5.0HO]

I've got the same driverside creaking and it also does it when i turn the wheel... so how DO you lubricate the ball joints??

 

[Demented4.6]

you replace them.. no way to lube factory ones

 

[85GTKid]

you replace them.. no way to lube factory ones

Is it costly to have them replaced? Ill check them to see if it does it while turning.

 

[Demented4.6]

they aren't that expensive just a PITA

 

[maverick0716]

Do you have the spring isolators still in? Also when bushings like that get old they creak.

 

[85GTKid]

Do you have the spring isolators still in? Also when bushings like that get old they creak.

Still in. Which bushing should i check/possibly change? Im sure it needs to be done since they are all very old.

 

[tom2001gt]

Sounds like a bad ball joint to me I just got back from the parts store I was also getting a ball joint.

 

[Iceman_19]

how do you replace the balljoints?

 

[dvs bullet]

the ball joints have to be pressed out of the lower control arms. When I had to do mine and I called around for prices the ball joints were expensive for some reason but I called Ford and believe it or not they sell the whole lower control arm with the ball joint cheaper than the ball joint alone! They are kind of a pita to change but I would suggest that you call upFord and find prices for the whole lower control arm, that way you don't have to press it. By the the way I'm pretty sure it's your ball joints. I f you want to double check, get a long pry bar or screw driver and place the steel end to the ball joint and hold the plastic part to your ear, have a buddy push it up and down, this will act as a stethoscope and your can hear if the squeaking is coming from the joint