Squeaking when turning?

[Armatron]

This is on a 98 Ranger - I hear a squeaking noise whenever I turn the wheel.. Very similar to when turning the wheel while sitting in a parking deck. It's slowly gotten worse over the past few weeks - I assume it's the upper shock mount possibly? Any idea if this is something I can get at autozone?

I looked through the technical section and searched and a lot of people seemed to recommend completely replacing ALL of the bushings on the truck with poly bushings.

http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/bodylifts.html

This seems a little excessive to me... It's just a daily driver, nothing rough, no off roading, etc. It's something to get me back and forth to work..

 

[feellnfroggy]

Have you ball joints checked. Also try (and its the number one cause of swueaks and failures) go get a lube job. Anything that can be greased needs to be checked and greased. Our 20k hummers (with armor) brand new squeaked like all hell, its because they are shipped without grease due to being tied down real tight.

 

[cocoasranger]

If you are sitting still and get a squeaking when turning the steering lock to lock it may well be a glazed and/or worn power steering belt. You can test this by spraying a little belt dressing on the p/s belt. If the noise disappears replace the belt. WD-40 can be used in a pinch.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Don't 98's have serpentine belts? I'd just grease everything you see that's greaseable dude. Start simple and take it from there..

 

[Armatron]

Don't 98's have serpentine belts? I'd just grease everything you see that's greaseable dude. Start simple and take it from there..

It's not a belt issue - It's definitely coming from the front right wheel/tire/suspension..

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Could very well be a tie rod end starting to seize up.

 

[Armatron]

Ok I took a look underneath and it looks like my ball joints are bad... well... beyond bad. Hopefully they aren't too difficult to replace - thanks for the advice