Grand Marquis front end squeaks! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

2000GMLS · 10-23-2011, 14:41

I noticed that it's always seemed to be a little 'sticky', for lack of a better word, but now the front end 'squeaks' when you turn the wheel (especially in a parking lot). I know it's probably the ball joints, or steering linkage, but what can I do to get rid of the squeaks, since the damn thing has NO grease fittings whatsoever?!?! I couldn't believe it when I got under it for the first time! It's only 2 years newer than my Ford V-10 E-350 van, but that thing has grease fittings for EVERYTHING! WTF?

For a vehicle that still has a drain plug for the torque converter, but no grease fittings, seems pretty lame, if you ask me!

Do I have to start replacing everything, or is there some secret I can try, like a needle on the end of my grease gun, going into the rubber, and filling it that way? I don't know if the squeaking is a sign that something is going out, or that it's just dry?

I'm almost considering selling it, if I have to start replacing everything! I'll go with what I wanted in the first place, a '94-'96 Buick Roadmaster/Chevy Caprice! At least I know they have grease fittings! I used to own a '95 Roadmaster years ago. Man, that was a nice car!

I'm sure that this is a common problem, since nothing is made to last anymore! Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
John

**Bert** · 10-23-2011, 17:04

The only way to know where it's coming from would be to listen to the area while it's doing it. As for the grease fittings, They are made to last as long as greaseable ones. We have some in our fleet with almost 200,000 miles with original balljoints and they are Police cars that get run hard. Mine has one new upper ball joint. When we had the Caprices in the mid 90s, we replaced ball joints just as often. One even broke out of the lower A arm on a call. Mercedes Benz doesn't have grease fittings on their cars either.

2000GMLS · 10-23-2011, 20:41

I know it's coming from the passenger side, but it only happens when we are in close quarters (i.e. parking lots), so it's almost impossible to narrow it down any. I did jack up the car, and sprayed the crap out of all the steering joints with MotorKote spray. This stuff beats WD-40, PB Blaster, and anything else out there! It has saved me from having to rebuild my 5th wheel on my semi, that's how good it is! Anyway, after I used about a whole can, spraying every single joint on the steering, I turned the wheel lock-to-lock about a half dozen times. Didn't hear anything, but of course, there was no weight on the tires, either! We'll see what happens.

I myself prefer greasable parts. My '77 LTD is 34 years old, and I haven't had to replace ANY steering/ball joints during that time! Even though it is the job I hate doing the most, greasing these parts (and using high quality grease) make them last forever, IMHO.

John

**Bert** · 10-23-2011, 21:30

Hope it stays quiet. The sway bar links sometimes make noise too. I'm sure you sprayed them though.

It depends on how good the jionts are made. We have Dodges in our fleet with greaseable joints and they'vs gone out anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles Some haven't but most have. These are serviced regularly like the Fords, Chevys and others.

2000GMLS · 11-26-2011, 10:15

I also put a post on the other thread I started, asking about putting 15" wheels on my car, but I did buy dedicated snow tires for the GM today. When I had them installed, I asked the tire shop to look at the front end, and find the squeaking noise. He said that both lower ball joints are at the 'squeaking' stage, but not loose yet. So, I'm just going to go ahead and replace ALL of them at once, with ones with GREASE FITTINGS! Now, my buddy was saying that with some of these cars, you had to also replace the upper control arms, if the ball joints were never replaced before. Is this true? Either way, I'm buying the parts from Rock Auto, as even with the shipping charges, they are almost $100.00 cheaper than O'Reillys! Plus, with O'Reilly's, I have to include sales tax!

Let me know if I have to buy the control arms/ball joint assemblys, or if I can get by with just buying the ball joints.

Thanks,
John

**Bert** · 11-26-2011, 15:42

The upper ball joints bolt on. You don't have to replace the upper control arm. Actually, you loosen the upper and that's where the alignment is done.

2000GMLS · 11-26-2011, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert

The upper ball joints bolt on. You don't have to replace the upper control arm. Actually, you loosen the upper and that's where the alignment is done.

Thanks for the info, but do you know if the replacement upper control arms also have grease fittings where the bushings are? For whatever reason, my buddy says I should get the control arm/ball joint combo, but then I'd have to get it aligned. I'd rather not do that if possible. So, if the upper control arm has no grease fittings on it, then I'd rather just get the ball joints.

Thanks,
John

**Bert** · 11-26-2011, 18:57

The upper control arm is a separate part from theball joint. It's not like most other cars in that respect. You can get ball joints with or without grease fittings. The alignment should be done either way. When I replace the uppers, I look at the reference marks on the adjusters and put them back in the same position. Look at them and you'll see what I mean. They look like another nut below the ones that hold the balljoint on.

**Bert** · 11-26-2011, 19:00

I wouldn't change the control arm unless the upper bushings are bad and I never saw that on any of our fleet cars.

2000GMLS · 11-26-2011, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert

I wouldn't change the control arm unless the upper bushings are bad and I never saw that on any of our fleet cars.

OK, thanks, I'll just get the joints! Since we're on the subject, how often do the inner/outer tie rods go out on these things? That's about the only things left to replace with parts that have grease zerks.

Thanks,
John