I have a 98 f150 4x4 and have a really bad non mechanical noise most prominant when i turn the wheel. Im pretty sure its not mechanical cause I can be parked and when i turn the wheel its this loud squeaking/creaking noise. I can also hear it if I stand on the drivers side running board and bounce up and down. But mostly it happens when I turn the wheel. Any ideas? Im stumped.

 

Sounds like you have bad ball joints and "the pitman arm squeak". If you are mechanically inclined and have the appropriate tools, it will take less than 6 hours to replace both the upper and lower ball joints as well as the pitman arm. Be sure to get Moog replacement parts. They have grease fittings on them.

 

Im not sure I want to know, but how muc will this kind of repair cost?

 

I replace both the upper and lower ball joints as well as the pitman arm on my buddies 98 F150, and it cost him about $250.00 for the parts. Remember to get camber kits when you replace the uppers. If not, you will pay dearly at the alignment shop.

 

Not being mechanically inclined, how serious is this problem? i have a 10 hour drive coming up fast, can she survive or is the truck going to fall apart?

 

It can be a serious problem, especially if a ball joint fails while you are driving down the road. You will look like the cars/trucks you have seen in the past that have the tires at a 45 degree angle to the car. Not good!!!!!!!!!
The pitman arm is just annoying.
As for the "not being mechanically inclined," that's what they make Haynes and Chilton Repair Manuals for. Good instructions and generally some pictures. Replacing them is not technically a real difficult task, but it will save you a bunch of money.

 

So i took my truck to the shop and the eyeballed the underside while i turned the wheel to make the noise and they said it was the upper and lower ball joints, they want to charge me 250 in labor and 272 in parts. So I went to Summit racing got quoted for the upper control arm with joint for 56.00 the lower ball joint for 32.00 and a new bushing package for 21.00 so for 110.00 i can get all the parts. I called a few places to see if they would just do they work and they actully got mad cause of the parts prices I found. Whats up with that? Why are these shops double or triple charging for parts?

 

Them prices are per side correct?Thats what it sounds like.

 

They determined your ball joints were bad just by looking at them? Thats mighty impressive.

In any case...
I would get your parts from here: http://www.rockauto.com/
Get the MOOG parts, they are greaseable, so they will last MUCH longer.

Then go to your shop, and tell them a buddy was supposed to install them for you, but he was too busy or gave you the cold shoulder or some sob story like that

 

I have a 97 f150 4x4 and had the same problem. It is the pitman arm it is not hard to replace. It seems to squeak worse when it is cold.
I finally replaced mine after about a year. Could't take it anymore