Grotto_Lotto

I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
This problem happens when I'm going straight or turning and is
embarrassing when pulling up in front of people because it makes it
seems as the car is a real clunker. Thanks for any help.

Shoe Salesman

<Grotto_Lotto> wrote in message
news:qclhn19j6n9002sq68lfrhrh09rkea80a6@4ax.com...
> I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
> dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
> This problem happens when I'm going straight or turning and is
> embarrassing when pulling up in front of people because it makes it
> seems as the car is a real clunker. Thanks for any help.

If it was the pitman it would only squeak when turning(not squeal) and not
likely anyway...(I have seen a CV ball joint squeak when turning but its not
common.) If the noise happens when ever the engine is running, car moving or
not, it is most likely a pulley bearing or the belt. You must open the hood
and look for the problem. :)

Al Bundy

I don't see how the pitman arm is going to squeal.
Have someone at the dealer or other shop go for a ride with you and
identify the noise. Then get an estimate and decide whether to repair
it.
You are driving a 10+ year old vehicle and some would consider that a
clunker just based on its age. You don't have to announce your arrival
at a traffic light with strange noises.

MasterBlaster

<Grotto_Lotto> wrote

> I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
> dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
> This problem happens when I'm going straight or turning and is
> embarrassing when pulling up in front of people because it makes it
> seems as the car is a real clunker. Thanks for any help.

Does it go away or change when you press the brake pedal?
Pads may be worn, and the springy indicators are rubbing the rotors.
(Unless it also squeals when you're sitting still)

Grotto_Lotto

On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:24:59 -0500, Grotto_Lotto <> wrote:

>I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
>dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
>This problem happens when I'm going straight or turning and is
>embarrassing when pulling up in front of people because it makes it
>seems as the car is a real clunker. Thanks for any help.

Shoe, Al, & Master,

Thanks for your insights, but I'm still working on the problem,
although I've yet to see another mechanic, yet. But I must confess
that might original description may not be totally accurate in that it
is not quite a loud squeal, but more of a very load creaking. It
doesn't happen when I'm stopped and until a few days ago was
intermitent. Could it need some grease? Are there grease zerqs(sp)
on this model?

MasterBlaster

<Grotto_Lotto> wrote

> >I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
> >dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.

> is not quite a loud squeal, but more of a very load creaking.

If it's one of the ball joints (control arm, tie rod, or pitman arm) creaking,
you can usually isolate which one it is by having a friend bounce the front
end or turn the steering wheel back and forth (just enough to make the
noise) while you reach under and feel each joint for telltale vibrations.
If the noise is only when bouncing, check the rubber sway bar mounts too.

> Could it need some grease? Are there grease zerqs(sp)
> on this model?

If a joint is dry enough to be making noise, it's also dry to enough to
seize up when you least expect it, and possibly breaking, which
can lead to a complete loss of steering control.

Autozone has some info ....

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d80174233.jsp

as well as a nice under-car pic of your front end, with little arrows pointing
to most of the relevant parts ....

http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d80174234.gif

Shoe Salesman

<Grotto_Lotto> wrote in message
news:4qann11qlv1fend7v3vuflrh8ugmka5bdp@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 13:24:59 -0500, Grotto_Lotto <> wrote:
>
>>I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
>>dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
>>This problem happens when I'm going straight or turning and is
>>embarrassing when pulling up in front of people because it makes it
>>seems as the car is a real clunker. Thanks for any help.
>
> Shoe, Al, & Master,
>
> Thanks for your insights, but I'm still working on the problem,
> although I've yet to see another mechanic, yet. But I must confess
> that might original description may not be totally accurate in that it
> is not quite a loud squeal, but more of a very load creaking. It
> doesn't happen when I'm stopped and until a few days ago was
> intermitent. Could it need some grease? Are there grease zerqs(sp)
> on this model?
Do you mean like over bumps? If so, on a CV I would suspect lower control
arm bushings. I don't think it will have any grease fittings. You really
should take it to a front end/alignment shop to have it checked out. You can
easiely check the bushings by checking to see if the bolt that goes through
the bushing is centered to the bushing. It should be.

Grotto_Lotto

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 10:53:35 GMT, "MasterBlaster"
<Nobody's.Home@My.Place> wrote:

>
><Grotto_Lotto> wrote
>
>> >I'm having loud squealing noise with my crown vic. When I was at the
>> >dealer he said something about the pitman arm needing lubrication.
>
>> is not quite a loud squeal, but more of a very load creaking.
>
>If it's one of the ball joints (control arm, tie rod, or pitman arm) creaking,
>you can usually isolate which one it is by having a friend bounce the front
>end or turn the steering wheel back and forth (just enough to make the
>noise) while you reach under and feel each joint for telltale vibrations.
>If the noise is only when bouncing, check the rubber sway bar mounts too.
>
>> Could it need some grease? Are there grease zerqs(sp)
>> on this model?
>
>If a joint is dry enough to be making noise, it's also dry to enough to
>seize up when you least expect it, and possibly breaking, which
>can lead to a complete loss of steering control.
>
>Autozone has some info ....
>
>http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d80174233.jsp
>
>as well as a nice under-car pic of your front end, with little arrows pointing
>to most of the relevant parts ....
>
>http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/g...3d80174234.gif

WOW!!! Thank you all, for help and links. I think I'll go back to
the dealer as he may have been striaght with me and actually treated
me well in another matter.