Squeaky Front Suspension???

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Don Bailey

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Guys my '03 ST has developed a squeak in the front suspension. Hear it almost all the time especially after getting a couple of loads of mulch yesterday. When I push up and down on the front bumper I can hear it on the passenger side front. Sounds like a dry bushing kinda sound. Any ideas on what would make that sorta noise? Can't think of anything up there that has a grease zerk or is there? Thanks for any advice/direction.
 
Ditto. My first guess would be worn lower ball joints. Also check the sway bar frame bushings.
 
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You can saturate any rubber or poly bushings. Use silicone spray. Sometimes the bushings arent' poly. If they are a form of rubber. WD-40 or oils' will deteriate them.



That is a way to of proccess elimination. One at a time if the sqeek stops, you found it. Dry ball joint is a different issue, to find.

 
Lots of good DIY videos on YouTube. I suggest you not fix just the offender. Replace 'em all preferably, time and budget permitting. Most here like Moog replacement parts - get them from RockAuto or Amazon.
 
Replace 'em all preferably, time and budget permitting
Click to expand...



Ditto, at least both lowers. They are the load bearers'.....



Hugh, I dont know about today. Some 30 years ago. I had 2 incidents of bending MQ/N upper control arms from a pot hole and the other time a curb.

When I replaced with moog. The metal mass was significant. Never broke or bent the moogs. Needless to say I still hit curbs and such. Back then I was a DUI type driver. Since then I have always spent the extra for moog parts.

One of the oldest wheel and axle shops here, 55yrs and counting. Only use moog. If you buy another brand and bring them, they wont do the work. They dont mind your parts, as long as they are moog. That must mean something.
 
I could be wrong, but. The only difference I have noticed. Publicly sold, is that heavy duty is thicker viscosity. Comercial use may have more viscosity choices. I never worried about brand..

I dont buy at 99cent stores. Had some I think was mostly water...LOL
 
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I think the silicone spray was to be a fast and easy way to lubricate bushings to determine which was making noise. Once identified, they should be lubed with something more substantial (e.g. grease, silicone paste, etc.). I use NAPA Sil-Glyde on the front anti-sway bar bushings and it lasts about a year before they squeak.
 
I did some research on them and they seemed to be the best built; at least their advertising was pretty convincing. Because of my frustrations with the Moog sway bar bushings, I thought I'd try to find something a bit more heavy duty to handle the 35s and off road driving.



I think, but have not confirmed, that NAPA is branding these as well.



<a href="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/hughdarnley/media/Sport%20Trac/UCA%20and%20BRAKES/2012-11-29_15-12-04_767.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/hughdarnley/Sport%20Trac/UCA%20and%20BRAKES/2012-11-29_15-12-04_767.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2012-11-29_15-12-04_767.jpg"/></a>



 
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Check these out. (More Info)
 
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I've read in some places that there are 2 sizes that come in a lower balljoint. Regular I guess it would be called and oversized depending on the ID of the hole? How do you tell which one is needed unless you remove the old one?
 
Use the standard size if it's the first time. (See link on bottom)



Raybestos Pro Grade oversize option.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2590600



 
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