Front end squeek

[StickShift84]

I am hearing a squeeking noise whenever I turn the wheel. I jacked up the car and inspected everything and all I could find was that with all other components fixed in place, and the car in the air, the rim and tire assembly will move around (from top and bottom, or left to right), in other words it seems loose. Is this a symptom of ball joints or should I be looking at something else as well?

Thanks in advance

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Ball joints squeak. I had a nasty one in my F150 I changed and that thing was loose and jumping up and down. You don't want that. If you have play, that is an indication of a ball joint as well. Buy a set of MOOGS ball joints, because Ford ball joints are terrible quality.

 

[rabidscoobie]

Ball joints squeak. I had a nasty one in my F150 I changed and that thing was loose and jumping up and down. You don't want that. If you have play, that is an indication of a ball joint as well. Buy a set of MOOGS ball joints, because Ford ball joints are terrible quality.

+1.The tie rods are also crap from ford and can cause an annoying sqeak,I just got my mach in april and its got just under 50k on it and they have started to sqeak just like my 01 gt i traded for it....in my case both are tie rods sqeaking....anyone suggest some new rods that can be greased?

 

[Brute03]

both of my ball joints are shot right now. i plan to get the cobra A arms and call it a day...

 

[StickShift84]

I was thinking about doing the cobra control arms as well, I think the install would be easier than swapping just the ball joints. Also, how can I determine if my tie rods are where the squeek is generated?

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I haven't seen tie rods squeak. But you can grab the ends and twist them back and forth. I determined the BJ on my truck was bad by laying under there ad placing my finger in different places while a friend turned the wheel back and forth. I could feel a vibration/creek while the noise was going on.

Buy MOOG everything. Inners, outers and BJ's. The outers can be greased because they have the fittings. They are also much tighter than the stock OEM stuff. I installed Ford OEM BJ's for a lady who brought them to me, and they were just as wobbly as the 75K ones I removed. What a waste of money. Buy MOOG stuff.

BTW..The Cobra control arm swap is popular, and it is cheaper than removing your A-arms and buying replacement parts and having them pressed in. So, choose what is best for you, but I like the MOOG stuff as it is way tighter.