Hi Guys,

just started hearing a squeaking noise coming from the front driver's side. It squeaks over bumps and when I turn the wheels to the left. It doesn't seem to do it when turning back right. I can't go under the truck as the weather is not favorable right now. I do see that there is clearance between the tire and the truck. I am running 265/70/17 tires which I never had any problems with. I have a 2.5" lift in the front (Daystar) which I never had any problems with. ( It is a couple of years old). I have videos of this but unfortunately I am not able to upload them to the site. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I was thinking of getting sway bar bushing to start with even before this happened.

Thanks,

Mark

Squeaks generally either come from rubber or dried up balljoints. I would crawl underneath it and have someone turn the wheel back and forth. Listen for the noise and try to pin it down. Use a long screwdriver up to your ear as a makeshift stethoscope. Place it on each suspect part and see which one is making noise. You can also place your hand on it and might be able to feel the vibration that's causing the squeak.

Upper strut mounts, ball joints, tie rods are most common. Cheers

Thanks so much, the weather is finally getting a little better so I can go under the truck. I will check the parts and see if I can pinpoint the problem. I will get back with my findings.

Thanks,

Well had a chance to look at it closer. It seems to be the lower ball joint. A little hard to pinpoint in that area. I will replace that to start with. Either way it's an original part that had been there for 13 years. No harm in replacing it.


QUOTE=Warwicke36;3465377]Squeaks generally either come from rubber or dried up balljoints. I would crawl underneath it and have someone turn the wheel back and forth. Listen for the noise and try to pin it down. Use a long screwdriver up to your ear as a makeshift stethoscope. Place it on each suspect part and see which one is making noise. You can also place your hand on it and might be able to feel the vibration that's causing the squeak.

Upper strut mounts, ball joints, tie rods are most common. Cheers[/QUOTE]

Anyone have a suggestion on a good quilty ball joint with good value.

QUOTE=chocker;3465965]Well had a chance to look at it closer. It seems to be the lower ball joint. A little hard to pinpoint in that area. I will replace that to start with. Either way it's an original part that had been there for 13 years. No harm in replacing it.


QUOTE=Warwicke36;3465377]Squeaks generally either come from rubber or dried up balljoints. I would crawl underneath it and have someone turn the wheel back and forth. Listen for the noise and try to pin it down. Use a long screwdriver up to your ear as a makeshift stethoscope. Place it on each suspect part and see which one is making noise. You can also place your hand on it and might be able to feel the vibration that's causing the squeak.

Upper strut mounts, ball joints, tie rods are most common. Cheers[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

I just ordered some Moog balls joints (Lower and upper just in case) waiting for arrival.

Just received the Moog ball joints that are greasable. I see that the Moog K500017 lower ball joint has a different boot on it. It seems to have a slim boot instead of the balloon type OEM one. It covers the area but I was just wondering if anyone used this replacement and if so, did they just put it on or did they add the larger boot over it. I have attached the photo of the ball joint.

Thanks,

Attached Images

 

Might as well do the sway bar bushings while you're at it.

It's funny you say that. I am waiting for the front and rear sway bar bushings I ordered. I am just worried right now that if I pull out the ball joint, will the replacement be ok even though the rubber boot is smaller.

I did some research and found out that the boot on the Moog was a newer boot and was to be used the same way as the original one with the bigger boot. I will try it.

Got the upper and lower ball joints and started the install. Started with the upper ball joint. Got everything undone except for removing it from the UCA. I saw that it was ready sloppy so it's time. Could not for the life of me press it out. The C clamp would not fit properly so I had a really hard time. I had to put it all back together and I'm going to bring it to the shop. I'll see what it sounds like after they are installed.

I banged mine off (hit the flat spot on the spindle) with the 3lb mini sledge lol.

When I started on the upper ball joint, it came free from the knuckle with no problems. Bang bang and it was disconnected. The problem was trying to press out the ball joint. I brought the truck to a shop. They got it done by torching it. They said that both ball joints were finished. The upper was so sloppy it was insane and the lower was making major noise when I tried to move it. All done, no more noise. So satisfying driving without noise.

I got the same problem that just developed on tuesday.
so frustrating and embarrassing hahaha.

was the bottom ball joint what you had torched out and how easy was it overall?

You need a press to get it out.
If you're doing this in your driveway I'd just get a complete lower arm with new a new ball joint and bushings, you'll be ahead in the long run and it's 100x's easier.