I'm hoping yall can help tell me what this is. I have 2 different squeaking problems. One is when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds, say backing out of a parking spot. The other is just driving, particularly bad on bumpy roads. Also, I can slam the brakes (going slow of course) and when forward motion stops, as it rocks back it does the same driving squeak. Help!!!

 

Most likely your ball joints. They tend to squeek alot under when they wear out. It's a do-it-yourself job that could save you about $500.00 if you replace the components yourself.

 

thanks. i really dont know much about suspension stuff, so that helped alot.

 

X2 on ball joints

 

im having the same prob but i went uder the back and had somone push on the tailgate and i swear its from the back

 

ya, but im pretty sure mines comin from the front. two of my buddies are havin the same problem, and they both have 97's. the weird thing about it, sometimes it won't do it. its almost like humidity effects how much it squeaks. and sometimes on long drives, it'll quit for awhile, then just start again. but 2 of yall said ball joints, so ill check it out

 

ball joints x3

 

i had the same problem.. i had my buddy whos a ford pro walk along my truck while i drove it on a borken up road, turnin my wheels and whatnot and after 30 seconds he told me it was my upper ball joint i think.. what sucks is my lower ball joint never told me he was ****tin the bed.. as i backed out on to the main road with the wheel fully cranked he let loose and caused some aggrivation.. just the ball joint and some fluid needed replacement thank god.. anywho,yea its most likely ur ball joint(s)

 

thanks, yall are really helpful. one more question...im kinda pinched for money, so...is this something that needs to be taken care of IMMEDIATELY, or could it wait for a little while?

 

I also had the same problem. I spent lots and lots of time trying to find the same problem and could never track it down. I thought it was coming from the upper's for a while but everyone kept telling me how the lowers go out so I took a weekend day and replaced them and it fixed the problem completely. If you have all the right tools on hand it should only take a few hours.

 

The pitman arm is a common source for squeaks when turning the wheels at low speeds or when stopped. Could also be the idler arm, tie rod ends or ball joints. So basically the whole front end needs checked over. As far as how long you can wait...just depends on how bad it is, you sure don't want any of that stuff coming apart. The easiest way to find your noise when turning the wheel is to have someone crank it back and forth slowly then grab the pitman arm, idler arm, etc. You can usually feel which part is making noise, just don't get pinched! And the best way to check the balljoints is to jack up the truck so the vehicle weight is supported by the control arms, not the frame. Then grab the tire at 12 and 6 and see if you can rock it up and down. If so you probably need balljoints, but make sure it's the balljoints moving because a loose wheelbearing will feel the same. While you're at it, grab the wheel at 9 and 3 and rock it to check tie rod ends and idler arm. Hope you get it figured out, let us know.

 

thanks RayD!! i'll check it tomorow