just got my truck back from the dealership today.. that squeaky front end noise i was hearing when i was turning the wheel at dead stop or slow roll was a worn pitman arm.. 227 bucks..

funny thing is.. I went over a curb no bigger than your average sidewalk goin maybe 5mph.. who would have thunk it would be the hair on the camel's back... not real happy

 

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago. I didn't take it to the dealer though, I took it to a local shop. They had to take apart my entire front end to figure out what was wrong. The pitman arm was worn and was squealing and resonating throughout the drivetrain, making it difficult to find the problem. I only paid about 185 though! That goes to show ya how much the dealer rips ya. The important thing though is that it's fixed and you don't get anymore dumb looks right!

------------------
1997 Ford F-150
4.2 L V-6
DynoMax catback exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Window Tint
Pioneer 7000R CD player
2 Rockford Fosgate DVC HX2 10's
Rockford Fosgate 500a Amp
Lund bug shield
Vent Shade Vent Visors
GTS headlight blackouts
Bedliner
Chrome Toolbox

 

I had the same problem, so did many others in the board. If it squeaks, though, it means that the tolerances between the ball and socket are still close and needs to be greased. But the pitman arm is still good. When the pitman arm knocks and the steering has play, then it is time to replace it. If your new pitman arm did not come with a zerk fitting, in 30 to 40,000 miles you will need to replace it again unless you grease it yourself. Trowing away good pitman arms is not exactly cost effective, or worth the down time, when it is so easy and cheap (costs about 4.00 bucks.) to fix it.
Do a search under "greasing the pitman arm" for the last 30 days, you will find a post with some pictures showing how to do it, or email me, i'll send you the pics.
Roberto

------------------
'97 F150 XLT SC, 2WD, 4.6 Auto
* 3" Bullseye spindles
* 2" Superlift angled blocks in rear
* Rancho RS5000's
* AR Baja's 16X8
* Gorilla locknuts (all 20 lugnuts are locknuts)
* 285-75-16 Firestone Wilderness AT III's
* E150 "Triton V8" emblems
* Donmar Sunroof
* Sony CD player
* SuperChip
* K&N Filter
* Bedliner
* Weathertech Ventvisors
* Ford locking gas cap
* Delta aluminum toolbox
* Putco shorty chrome bedrails
* 4:10 US Gear ring & pinion, complete with gear whine.
(It's the Turbo, Son, it's the Turbo!)

 

Even if you do change the pitman arm, they are only about $40 at a parts store. Some places will even "loan" you the puller for free.


------------------
1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires.

NoMo's site

 

HEY NOMO,
I just visited your homepage and I liked it@! pretty nice!
I just had a question for ya, do you notice a big diffrence with that airbox mod you've done (the cutaway) for your xpedition? I was looking to do the same thing on my truck as well without spending the $$ for an airraid

thanks

------------------
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L 4X4

MODS:
K&n air filter
Ravin Z55 exhaust

 

I am a tech at the local Ford dealer. It is true that the sqeaking is a dry pitman arm. I just priced one this morning for a '97 F-150 4x4, part-$37, Labor-2.4hrs at $47 an hour. That is also a Ford part