Should I replace the upper or lower ball joints for a squeaky 95 Ford Explorer?

Question

I have a 4WD 95 Ford Explorer that makes a sqeaky springy sound over even the smallest bumps. It squeaks when I move the steering wheel stopped or in motion and I believe that the ball joints are bad. I would like to know if I need to replace both the upper and lower or just the lower. My truck is very rusted underneath it appears to have been a beach truck. Also if anyone could tell me about how much this would cost or any other possible solutions I would appreciate it very much.

Answer 1

both

Answer 2

Never spray WD-40 on your suspension - the oil will destroy any rubber parts. You probably have dry (thus squeaky) sway bar rubbers (where it mounts to the frame. Just unbolt the sway bar from the frame, slide the rubbers (and the bracket) to one side and apply a little rubber grease - sometimes called moly grease or sulphur grease - this will cure the squeak and protect the rubbers from further deterioration. Unless the rubbers have already crapped out, in which case they will need replacing. If there is rust on the sway bar under the rubbers (pretty common), you should also clean it off, prime and re-paint those patches - otherwise, the squeak will return. I doubt the ball joints are bad - I have never heard of one squeaking before.

I've had this before on a 92 Olds Bravada - it's a fairly common problem with 4WDs.

Answer 3

Have you tried simply spraying some wd-40 all around the suspension parts? Doing this would also give you a chance to closely and visually inspect things, but careful of spraying wd-40 in your eyes this way heh.

Ball joints would have to be inspected, are not easy to do for the DIY'er because they involve danger, and I don't know how much but maybe around 400 - 600? But you really need to call around some garages and ask, it could be less, it could be more, maybe 800 i dunno.

Either way, if you're going to replace them, do it right and do both.

Might be the shocks, too.

Answer 4

You don't want to put grease on rubber components either as anything that's petroleum eats up rubber. Don't need to take them down just get some silicone spray and spray them with that.