Squeaky Front End

[msd5052001]

Hello All! I am hoping you can help me with an issue I am having with my Expedition. (2002 Eddie Bauer, 96k miles). Today here in Georgia it was in the high 20's this morning and every time it gets down near freezing my front end sounds like an old crown vic when going over speed bumps. It almost sounds like a rubbing shock but I know it's not that because I replaced the shocks thinking that was the issue.
It ONLY occurs in colder temps. I take meticulous care of my Expedition and even though I have been told they can't find anything wrong with the front end, it is annoying as hell.
Any ideas? I would love to fix this!

Also, does anyone have any good experience with BFGoodrich Long Trail tires? I have had Michelin's on mine for about 75k miles (could go another 5k honestly) and am VERY pleased with them but unfortunately they no longer make Michelin's in the 17 size. So I am considering the BFGoodrich tires. Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[Lane24]

Front ball joints. I have to grease mine every 6 months or so, or it sounds like an old wagon.

 

[msd5052001]

OK, thanks, I am getting tires put on Saturday so I will ask them to do that while they are working on it. Thank you.

 

[Lane24]

Don't be shocked if yours need to be replaced rather than greased. It's one of those things that has to be done. Big $$$$$ . Unfortunately. But if they are replacing, get the greasable ones.

 

[msd5052001]

Don't be shocked if yours need to be replaced rather than greased. It's one of those things that has to be done. Big $$$$$ . Unfortunately. But if they are replacing, get the greasable ones.

Can you define, Big $$$$? LOL

 

[Lane24]

Well, it's been a long time, but I'm guessing the $500+ range. Dealership will probably soak you for more. I think mine were around $600, but things are a little more pricey for auto parts up here in Canada.

 

[msd5052001]

Well, it's been a long time, but I'm guessing the $500+ range. Dealership will probably soak you for more.

Ok, that I can handle... lol
I wouldn't go to the dealer for that so hopefully I can get it in that range. I am ALL about maintenance on my car, I want it to last way beyond the 100k it is about to turn! Thanks for the help.

 

[wakeboarderNH]

If your getting front end parts ONLY GET MOOG.

They are the best built, greasable, and last a long time.

Defiantly worth the money.

 

[Brusky]

mine did the same thing and got quoted right at $500 per side for top and bottom, wound the lower ones online ( mevotech grease fitting) for less than $30 shipped, rented the tool to replace them from advanced and did them myself
took about 3 hours, havent done uppers yet due to having to replace whole
A arm but the lowers are the sqeakers. going to do uppers just before i get new tires so i can just have alignment done at the same time.
I have pics of them installed on my profile.

 

[crishard]

Hey Guys,
This is my first post but been lurking here for a while. This is an issue that bugged me for over a year. I failed an inspection due to a ball joint on one side one year & then one on the other side the next year. I replaced them both but the squeak remained! I decided to replace everything up front due to the steering being sloppy. I did the other two ball joints, inner & outer tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering box & that brace/pivot thing against the opposite frame rail from the steering box. Now, with 250K miles, shes quiet & steers like new. I just recently did the bilstein hd shocks all around also. I was greatly dissapointed by the lack of difference in the bilsteins & the beat up, dented up, 16 year old shocks. Oh well, those will be the last ones I buy for that vehicle.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

I have had Michelin's on mine for about 75k miles (could go another 5k honestly) and am VERY pleased with them but unfortunately they no longer make Michelin's in the 17 size. So I am considering the BFGoodrich tires. Any advise would be appreciated!

Michelin still makes the LTX MS/2 in the P265/70R17; check Tire Rack or others: Tire Search Results

PanHandler

 

[BANGEREXPO76]

Whatever you do DONT USE CHEAP SUSPENSION PARTS!!! You will be buying the same parts again a year later or less. I learned the hard way and had to redo the entire suspension again. Not fun at all. Good luck.