need SHOCKS!!! - Ford Forums

booya79 · 04-19-2004, 22:36

i believe it's the shocks that are giving me this annoying squeaking noise everytime i drive....it's coming from the front bumper/tire area....and it'll squeak even more when i hit a bump or potholes....
if it is the shocks, can anyone recommend a decent (price wise) shocks that's good for it's money.... non-performance though, not looking anything tough but something that will absorb and make the ride smooth.... thanks again...

EBXR · 04-20-2004, 00:24

What type of car?

Any of the main brands would do. Is the car lowered at all?

kristin_alise · 05-11-2004, 11:22

i think have the same problem. my 95 explorer only squeaks when i go over bumps. my mechanic said it was my ball joints. its so expensive to get both the upper and lower done. i'm going to take it to another mechanic to confirm that both need to be replaced.

davway · 05-11-2004, 17:49

mine squeaks on full lock over rough ground and also when you put the brakes on!

351w · 05-12-2004, 21:31

more than likely the shocks are not what you hear squeaking it is rare if ever that a shock squeaks.
there are several bushings and joints that tend to dry out and develope squeaks in the front end and the thing to do is spray them up with some type of silicone lubricant one at a time and bounce the vehicle to find which is squeaking.
also the newer explorers use the torsion bar type front end and have a type of A-arm on the top which has a bushing on each end that gets alot of dirt on while driving.
these get very dry and rusty, i have replaced a few of them on the work trucks.
the parts to replace a front suspension are not cheap at all so find your problem before you start looking for new parts.
the explorers that i did the front ends over on cost about $400 and i did all the labor that was just for the lower balljoints and the upper arms and bushings.
the joints on the upper arm are not replacable and must have the whole arm replaced.

dyurisich · 02-10-2008, 21:20

I too have the same problem on my 99 Sport. First thought it was a shock or shock boot, but now think that its a lower ball joint that dried up. Gonna try injecting grease with needle and grease gun before replacing entire joint. BTW PEP Boys wanted over $900.00 to do upper and lower ball joints on both sides..

J$hort · 03-06-2008, 10:02

I'd replace the shocks first before hitting the ball joints. Ball joints are frequently replaced on these vehicles. I replaced ball joints on one side as they failed inspection. It was about a $400-500 job, lots of labor. I have a 95 Sport and replaced all my shocks a while back with $19.99 Monroe shocks from Autozone. Pretty easy to do yourself, you'll probably have to break the front shock upper bolts off (actual shock stud and all) to get the off. These shocks were ok for the money but need replacing again. Truck has 175K on it now and I'll probably go the same route..unless I can find some Rancho's on ebay cheap.

stuford · 04-07-2008, 07:10

morethan likley it the ball joints Ford ball joint are not the best of the best they usually last abouit 70,000 miles i just replaced all mine on my 98 Explorer. the get really expensive, but it is worth it to get tem done the ford ball joints are sealed and therefore not greasable so make sure you get new ball joints with grease fittings ussually shocks dont sqeek you will just sit on an angle

Toratwin · 04-18-2008, 00:26

Reason why ball joints are so expensive is because the lower comes as the whole lower control arm, and are not serviceable seperate, thats mostly likely why

**360ci** · 04-23-2008, 13:09

Bilstein or Rancho shocks are the best peformers for the $. Depending on the shock application, the Bilsteins will retain a better stock ride feel.