Squeaky slow left turns
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Joined: Jul 2021
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From: North Carolina / Vermont
Squeaky slow left turns
Howdy!
Black Betty and I are new to this forum, (I'll show y'all a pic of her soon),
but right now, I have a tech question:
When I bought my 98 5.9 with 178k miles in early May, I was told that the front suspension would need replacement at some point soon-ish.
I'm now at 180k, and sure enough, she groans and squeals at me when I turn left at low to no speeds. I checked the ball joints (they look fine), I checked the power steering fluid (full),
and I recently had a front U-joint replacement. (as well as brake replacement all around, and a set of 33" Wildpeaks that were slapped on this morning!)
I'm not entirely sure how to check/lube my front suspension, or if it is, in fact, the cause of her groaning despair (the tie rods also look healthy),
and I have a few questions:
1) How should I check my shocks/lube them if that's the issue?
2) Any (relatively affordable) new shock recommendations?
3) what should I expect to pay for new shocks + installation?
and finally,
4) What else should I check if it's not the shocks?
Thanks a bunch,
- Turbo, Gwenn, and Black Betty
Black Betty and I are new to this forum, (I'll show y'all a pic of her soon),
but right now, I have a tech question:
When I bought my 98 5.9 with 178k miles in early May, I was told that the front suspension would need replacement at some point soon-ish.
I'm now at 180k, and sure enough, she groans and squeals at me when I turn left at low to no speeds. I checked the ball joints (they look fine), I checked the power steering fluid (full),
and I recently had a front U-joint replacement. (as well as brake replacement all around, and a set of 33" Wildpeaks that were slapped on this morning!)
I'm not entirely sure how to check/lube my front suspension, or if it is, in fact, the cause of her groaning despair (the tie rods also look healthy),
and I have a few questions:
1) How should I check my shocks/lube them if that's the issue?
2) Any (relatively affordable) new shock recommendations?
3) what should I expect to pay for new shocks + installation?
and finally,
4) What else should I check if it's not the shocks?
Thanks a bunch,
- Turbo, Gwenn, and Black Betty
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,461
Likes: 4,219
From: Clayton MI
When does it groan? As you turn the steering? or as it rolls forward?
Shocks don't get lubed. If the mounting bolts are loose, they will rattle, but, not groan.
Bilstein 5100's are popular. I think there is a thread about shocks in the DIY/FAQ section.
Arm and a leg?
No real idea. Figger the cost of the shocks, and an hour or so for labor, at whatever the rate is in your area.
Jack it up, and turn things, visually inspect. Dry joints may test good, but, can make some pretty interesting noises as you turn.
Shocks don't get lubed. If the mounting bolts are loose, they will rattle, but, not groan.
Bilstein 5100's are popular. I think there is a thread about shocks in the DIY/FAQ section.
Arm and a leg?
No real idea. Figger the cost of the shocks, and an hour or so for labor, at whatever the rate is in your area.Jack it up, and turn things, visually inspect. Dry joints may test good, but, can make some pretty interesting noises as you turn.
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 488
Likes: 24
From: Texas
I've a '96 2WD n the front lower ball joint on the drivers side is always dried out n will eventually start squeaking after about a year if I do nothing. Every time I replace the oil, I service the front end. I can't pump anymore grease into the ball joint. This has happened EXACTLY the same thru 2 ball joints. So what I do, is to remove the grease fitting n carve out both the grease fitting AND the tunnel beneath. Both are full of dry/packed in grease. WHY?, don't know. But cleaning out the grease fitting n grease tunnel n voila!