front suspension

[94fordmustanggt]

A few days ago my front end started groaning/squeaking when I go over bumps. Now it does it all the time and it's drivin me insane. It changes pitch when you turn the steering wheel. It sounds like something needs to be lubricated that isn't. I took the wheels off and checked everything over and everything looks ok. Sprayed some lubricant on everything and it didn't help at all. Short of throwing new parts at it, what could I rule out? If you push up and down on the car it creaks and groans on the driver's side. I have heard other Ford's make the same noise, so I think it may be a somewhat common problem. Any suggestions?

 

[go-stang5.0]

You could try lubing the bushings in the camber plates (right on the strut towers). I would use silicone spray for the rubber bushings. It could be ball joints also. Since you say the noise changes with steering inputs I'm leaning more toward the balljoints. Was there any play in the wheels when you had it in the air?Put your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock on the wheels and try and wiggle it. Also do it again with hands at 12 and 6 o'clock and report back? There should be less than an 1/8" of play either way.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

My DD is doing the same thing. Here's another vote for balljoints.

 

[HISSIN50]

Don't forget the top strut mount if not mentioned.

Good luck.

 

[94fordmustanggt]

Sorry I haven't had time to get it up in the air since I last posted. A few more things I noticed- the car began to pull to the left just a little when driving- a lot to the left when braking. I started getting a little vibration in the brakes when applying them moderately- stopping lightly or hard I have no vibration. I just put new rotors, calipers, and pads on the front a few months ago. The steering is tight- no slop in it. I have UPR cc plates, bumpsteer eliminators, Eibach springs, and Tokico shocks. I probably won't be able to mess with it again until Tuesday. Then I'm probably going to tear the whole front end apart! I heard 3 newer Ford pickups today making the same noise as my car; which is why I thought it may be a common problem. Thanks for the replies- I'll let you know as soon as I do! O BTW- the car also probably has about 250,000-300,000 miles on it. I'm not sure. The odometer stopped working a long time ago at 186,000! The old 5.0 just won't give up!!