Squeaking sound when I turn the steering wheel

[Yellow01GT]

Whenever I turn the steering wheel, there's a really weird squeaking sound coming from the passenger side front wheel area. I jacked up the car and took the wheel off to see if i could better pin-point the area, but it sounds like it may be coming from the ball joint area. Can someone please help me diagnose the problem and if possible help me with a solution. My stang sounds like junker right now....

 

[ProCharger GT]

i would say ball joint.. same thing happens with my friend's SHO

 

[Yellow01GT]

I think I'm going to take it to the dealership to have them look at it and figure out what's wrong, but I would like to fix it myself so I don't end up paying a fortune. If it does turn out to be the ball joint, how hard is the install? Will I have to get the front end re-aligned after it is installed? I need to get a front-end alignment anyways, so I'll just wait until after I replace the ball joint if that's the case.

 

[VelR5.0]

I fixed my rack and pinion squeak with polyurethane bushings. Hope this helps!!

Velez

 

[FalconGuy016]

I had the same problem (and still do)
Currently my car is at the dealer for other problems, but I got the scoop on the steering column squeak.

Its a common problem, used to be replaced by dealers, but the word is now coming through from Ford that it isnt harmful and is just a design flaw which will be recalled soon once a better design has been made.

Basically they are saying dont waste time or money trying to fix it, as its harmless (although extremely annoying I know, it sounds like CRAP) I dont know if im going to do anything about it or not before Ford gets around to

My thread:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=522822

 

[warment]

Sounds like tie rod ends to me. I had the same problem (I have a Baer tracker setup though). I wiped mine off and sprayed some silicone spray in there and the problem went away.

Could be the ball joints too. I have the greasable Steeda X2 units on my car. I assume you have the stock, non-greasable units?

Bill

 

[Yellow01GT]

Sounds like tie rod ends to me. I had the same problem (I have a Baer tracker setup though). I wiped mine off and sprayed some silicone spray in there and the problem went away.

Could be the ball joints too. I have the greasable Steeda X2 units on my car. I assume you have the stock, non-greasable units?

Bill

Yeah, everything up there is stock except for springs and shocks. I'm taking the car into the dealership tomorrow so they can tell me what's wrong. Hopefully it's something I can just fix myself.

 

[warment]

If it's the ball joint, you will probably need a ball joint installation tool because the joint is pressed into the lower control arm...

Bill

 

[FalconGuy016]

I had the same problem (and still do)
Currently my car is at the dealer for other problems, but I got the scoop on the steering column squeak.

Its a common problem, used to be replaced by dealers, but the word is now coming through from Ford that it isnt harmful and is just a design flaw which will be recalled soon once a better design has been made.

Basically they are saying dont waste time or money trying to fix it, as its harmless (although extremely annoying I know, it sounds like CRAP) I dont know if im going to do anything about it or not before Ford gets around to

My thread:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=522822

^^^^

 

[danny g]

i'd bet 100 bucks its the ball joint. just have a tire shop replace it

 

[Yellow01GT]

Well for those who said tie-rod end, you deserve a cookie. I just told the dealership to go ahead and replace it while they had it apart. I was surprised at the price though...after everything, parts, labor, re-alignment, and taxes, it comes out to $160. I figured it would be over $300...you know how dealerships are with charging you out the @ss. I'm just glad it's not anything more serious.

 

[warment]

Glad to hear it.

Bill

 

[twogts4us]

Well for those who said tie-rod end, you deserve a cookie. I just told the dealership to go ahead and replace it while they had it apart. I was surprised at the price though...after everything, parts, labor, re-alignment, and taxes, it comes out to $160. I figured it would be over $300...you know how dealerships are with charging you out the @ss. I'm just glad it's not anything more serious.

Wow - that's a bargain these days!
So was it both sides and inner or outer or both?