My truck suffers from the pitman arm squeak.

What do I need to fix it? What tools? What kind of grease? I know I need to grease the fittings, but how do I do that? I've looked through search but none of the threads I found say HOW to do it or what I need, just that I need to grease the fittings/bushings.

Also, the rear leaf springs on the driver's side have started squeaking over the past few weeks (when I get in and out of the truck is most noticeable for me, but I can stand back there and push down on the bed and it squeaks)...Im guessing the bushings for the leafs?

Thanks.

 

something we do for our fleet trucks...on front suspension parts...

spray or drizzle some brake fluid on the part that is squeeking....

solves it big time.

 

There's no zerk fitting, so you need a "needle" style grease gun fitting to insert into the joint. Multi-purpose grease will work fine. Once they get worn out, the solution is generally temporary. On the leaf springs, try spraying the leafs down with WD-40 where they move/stack on each other. If it shuts up, you'll know if this is the source of the noise.

 

where does the sqeak sound like its coming fromwhen you are in the cab?i have a terrible sqeak i'm trying to find.

 

Its from up front, and you hear it when turning the wheel and driving slow, put the window down and you can hear it real good.

Max: If it does turn out I need to replace the pitman arm, how much can I expect to pay for a new one? And how hard is it to change out? Would I need to get an alignment done after changing it out?

Thanks

 

The part is about $35-$40. It's not a hard job, if you have the correct tools and some suspension experience. If you don't, the labor will probably add another $150-$200. There is no adjustment, so it can be done without an alignment.

 

Thats not too bad...I assume that price is from somewhere that isnt a dealer?

 

Ford and aftermarket on the parts....you can check them out online here:

www.autozone.com $31.99
www.fordpartsonline.com $38.55

If you don't install it yourself, the labor should be around 2.5 hours.

 

Save yourself a bunch of money by doing it yourself. Buy/rent a pitman arm removal tool at your local auto parts store when you buy a new arm for about $35.00. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the job, and no alignment is needed.

 

Any shop that quotes you 2.5 hours labor is humping you like a poodle on your leg. Like Yankee said, 15 minutes, and that's taking your time doing it.

SL

 

Yankee7985, snappylips-

I didn't suggest that he take it to a shop. I didn't suggest that it was a complicated procedure to do yourself. I agree that you'll get ripped off at the shop and go further by forecasting they'll also perform an alignment. If you think a TOTAL price from a Ford dealer is under $200-$250, call 3 of them and ask for the price on a 1997 "4X4" and report your findings back here. Also, do you know any differences in the replacement of a pitman arm on a 1997 F-150 4X2 vs a 4X4?

 

The 4x4 pitman arm is considerably more time consuming than the 4x2. The two wheel drive is a basic remove and install using the pitman arm puller tool. The four wheel drive happens to have a crossmember located directly below the pitman arm bolt. The best way I have found to remove the old one is to cut it with a grinder to release the pressure and then it will come off easily. If not, you almost certainly have to partially, or totally remove the gear box just to remove the pitman arm.

Robbie

 

EXACTLY....bam...1/2 hour to 2.5 hours labor.

 

OK I think I am going to tackle it this weeked...one more question.

With the grease needle...do I put the needle INTO the fitting (puncture it) or do I just slide the needle between the fitting and the metal behind it?

Thanks.

 

If the boot is intact, you will find it securely attached, making it hard to do anything but puncturing the needle through the boot.