Squeaking from front end.

[hockeyfan8288]

I'm trying to figure out what I have to replace. Every time I hit a bigger bump, I.E. Pulling into my driveway, or going over a speed bump, the front end squeaks as it bounces up and down. Any help would be appreciated. Not sure if it matters, but it's an '03 XLT 2WD.

 

[Slim]

Your best bet is to have a friend help, mostly for their ears.

Your first step should be to see if it's coming from the left or right side, then if it's more towards the front or "back" (ie, infront or behind the front wheel). Then see if you can duplicate the squeaking with the truck not moving, by bouncing the front end up and down.

Try using some spray lubricant to help isolate the sound if it's bushings. If you think you know which one it is, spray it - if the squeak goes away then you know you found it.

It could be ball joints, any of a variety of bushings or god knows anything else. Good luck.

 

[cajunman87]

Sounds like your ball joints are going out, rangers have a tendency to do that, check out this website it should help you out a lot.

http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/~grant/ranger/ball joint/install.html

 

[rurouni20xx]

cajunman you live in louisiana like me so naturally ball joints give quickly (our roads suck!) in the case of my 93 the front end squeak was the brake pins lost lubrication, also one of my anti rattle clips on the pads broke and done the same thing. my bed bolts also squeak a little too, but every time i hit a bump i had a squeak and it was the brake clips and pins. not saying thats the case w/ yours but something to look into. slims idea w/ wd-40 on the chassis bushings, roll bar links, ball joints and tie rod ends is a great idea. also (idk if yours are factory or not) check and grease your front end points if possible i.e. your balljoints, tie rod ends and drag link for your steering and pitman arm. last time i checked the factory ones didnt have grease zerks but many aftermarket ones do. same w/ your rear u-joints, dry joints make squeaky noises when abrupt force is applied (bumps potholes etc.)