Everytime I step into my truck it's squeaking, every bump I hit, every right hand turn it's squealing like a pig. It appears to be coming from the driver side front and it's annoying as hell. It started about a month ago but has progressed to the point where it's embarrassing to be driving around. Someone mentioned it sounds like the ball joints are going bad.

Does that sound like a proper diagnosis?

If so: Is there any way to grease them or do I have to replace them?

How difficult is it to swap out the ball joints? (I've done the tie rods numerous times on my Mustang)

Any other ideas, opinions thoughts or comments I can use to solve this. Chevy guys are starting to snicker at me.

 

Try getting a needle greaser and shoot some grease in there that will calm down the noise. It did on mine

 

Thanks for the info, sounds like a good idea. Is that a special grease gun or can I buy a fitting for my present grease gun? Where would I find one, any parts store (Autozone, Carquest etc.)?

 

Yeah pretty much everybody has them. I got mine at Meijers, its just a little needle that has a end on it the looks like a grease zerk and it fits right in your grease gun. Stick the needle in the boot and squrt away. FORD doesnt have zerks on there stock ball joints (DUMB IDEA!!). My truck made this loud *** noise everythime I turned the wheel, everybody look at me....lol I now where your coming from.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll take a look for that today.

 

Worked like a charm, 1-HIGH-4-BY. Thanks for the tip!

 

when the sqek is present from balljoints it mean the the "permanent grease" that ford has put in the ball joint, has either hardened up or leaked out. ford has told our shop many times to replace those "creaks" with new ball joints. because there is no way to tell how much wear has happened before the noise becomes present. i recommend moog replacement chassis parts very highly. all there replacement parts have grease fittings where applicable(like they wouldnt have them on bolt-stlye sway bar links)
Your friendly, digitally local, ASE cerified mechanic,
Josh