Squeaky Front Susp/Steering
 

My 2001 GT makes a squeaking noise whenever I steer in either direction or sometimes when I go over bumps at low speeds. Any idea what could be causing the problem?

Hell, welcome to my world dude. I have a tubular front suspension and it ride like crap. Squeak coil overs, i feel every bump on the road. Maybe it has something to do with my strange struts though, they are drag struts...hmmm..:shifty:

i have that sometimes too...i have a feeling my steering rack may be the culprit...but im really not sure man

tie rods probably. ford oem tie rods are horrible and go out fairly quick. i know mine are bad.

take a needle and put some grease in it, and get under your car and inject inside the rubber housing (without ripping) and see if that solves your problem.

i had the same problem. i took it in they did something with the steering rack or sumthin dont know the exact details...

Thanks guys, MattJ, how much do you think it would cost to have the tie rods replaced?

Buy steedas bump steer kit and it should fix your problem, and its an upgrade! two birds with one stone.

i have a bump steer kit and i still have this same problem...i heard something about a possible loose steering rack or something....so i really think thats the problem, i need to have it checked

ford did have an issues with the rack comming loose but i think it maked more of a popping noise when you get close to lock. what about the isolators? have you checked them?

All posts are close. But the problem is that there are two pins that pass through the factory k member that hold the rack in place. Much like crush sleeves. They are known by Ford to squeak, or atleast by the mechanics. It usualy happens after you lower the car. Not sure why but that's when it started with mine. Cost is dirt cheap to fix and with a lift takes 10-15 minutes. Be liberal with the grease but don't go crazy. And no you can't just grease yours because that squeak means that the metal has been rubbing and has worn this part. It is softer than the k member and is basicaly considered a high wear item. Hope this helps.

mine wasnt lowered and still squeaked. Something to do with the steering rack broke ...

That is possible. I'm changing my sleeves tuesday and will post pics.

thanks man, i need to get this checked, how much was the total cost to have fixed??

Free! My best freind works at ford. He's going to write it up under warranty. I'll ask though. I would just buy them and do it myself. There is nothing to it.

ya mine was under warranty so i paid zip

i shouldve had it checked...oh well, if its easy, ill do it

Ok, here you go. Just remove the two nuts that hold the stearing rack. The bolts should slide right out, but leave them in. You will see why. Take a large pry bar and slide the pins out towards the front. The rubber bushings will also come out as well. Do not try to pry them out. Take your time and they will come out. Now is the time to replace them if needed. The pins go in one way only. The pics show that the ends are shinny. This is the rub point. We used ford anti seize on both ends of the new pins, the k member, and bushings. Use plenty but don't go crazy. Make sure that you seat the pins inside the k member. The bolts should slide in just as easy as they came out. Hope this helps. It took about 15 minutes but we did have a lift.

I missed one pic.

Theres been a TSB out on this for awhile. It happens to any mustang, but has higher chances to occur on a lowered one. When you lower, your suppose to get offset steering rack tube brackets so this doesnt occur.

Does the problem only seem to happen when the car is cold or has been sititng for a while? In the last two stangs I've had there seems to be like a "rubbing" or "rusted" sound when I go over a speed bump at very low speed and break.....but it goes away when the car gets warmed up...I'm wondering if it's the same thing

Mine does the same thing. There is also a TSB out on this. Its says to replace the entire control arm with new bushings and ball joints, which I did.. It didnt do anything, it still makes the same noise. Mine will usually do it when im braking to a stop or if i have the wheel turned almost all the way and start moving it will make a crunching type sound(or like you said rusted), i have sometimes heard it going over bumps. And I still cant figure out whats causing it. I also put new power steering tube brackets and polyurethane steering rack bushings in, still nothing. However, the noise does seem to be coming from that general area (somewhere in or around the k member)

Im still searching for someone that has found a cure.