98 Frontend Squeak killing me - Page 2

seeburg220 · #16 01-09-2010, 03:00 PM

Here's a pic with the new upper control arm/ball joint installed as well as the lower. I'm now done with the left side; will drink beer now and continue tomorrow

crowe47 · #17 01-28-2010, 10:05 AM

Hello fellow Ranger owners! I look forward to being a member of this forum and learning how to keep my Ranger (1998 4x4 w/ 4.0 L) in good shape and hopefully doing more of the upkeep myself with the help and advice of other members. I have owned it since new and plan on keeping it for the long haul.

BenGone · #18 01-28-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98 X Cab

Thanks for the help guys i found the problem the lower ball joint on the pass side boot is busted.

If $ will allow it, you should probably go ahead and replace the shocks, if you haven't done so yet.

CC98Ranger · #19 03-04-2010, 05:34 PM

I had just about everything replaced this fall on my 98 Ranger and it only has 64,000 miles but everything was shot since the OE's don't put grease, aka zerk, fittings on anything anymore. I changed out the the upper and lower control arm assemblies with new outer tie rods and shocks as well and new link kits for the sway bar. I bought all the parts from Rock Auto and delivered to my house for just under 400.00 that way I didn't have to mess with old arms since my bushings were dried out as well and by the time I bought all the parts to rebuild my control arms, I had less money in buying whole new assemblies. Nice and quiet and tight just like new. The down side is that the new parts still have no zerk fittings. I got nearly 12 years out of the original parts so it will last me for the length of time I will keep the truck.

SoCalRanger · #20 04-11-2010, 04:33 PM

I Just bought a 1999 Ford Ranger 2WD V6 3.0 with 136k. The front end is squeaky just like the original poster. I have read through this post and will be doing a complete front end rebuild on my p/u in June. Oops forgot to mention my ball joint boots are gone and jacked the truck up to see if there was play and there is only about 1/8 - 1/4 inch but it appears to be in the bearing not ball joints. Never the less it will all be getting replaced in June.

My only question or concern is disassembly I have coil shocks not torsion bar and do not know how to remove the spring. Do I need a spring compressor or do I do like the previous description and load the lower a arm unhook the ball joint then unload it?

Also do polyurethane bushings last longer then rubber ones? I know it will tighten up the suspension.

Eric