I have a 97 f-150 with 130,000 miles on it and whenever i turn the steering wheel, there is a really loud squeaking sound....i've heard it might be the outter tie rod ends and some people say they need to be replaced and others say they just need the boot lifted up and greased. I know this sounds really dumb, but i dont even know what the tie rod ends look like. How hard would it be to lift the boot up and squirt some grease in there, and what grease should i use?? Thanks

 

Is most likely being caused by the pitman arm or ball joints. Check them yourself or have them checked. They fail because there are no grease fittings on them, so you cannot lubricate them. Ford saved money on them, but cost the customer in the end.

 

so you dont think its the tie rod ends then?? what does the pitman are look like?

 

The pitman arm is the arm that is attached to the output shaft of the steering box.