Creaking noise from front end

[Zoro]

The last week or so my Eagle has developed an annoying creaky noise from the front end that only shows up at parking lot speeds. The noise happens while turning and with every bump in the pavement but only seems to show up at slow speeds of 5mph.

Can't figure out where it's coming from but I'd like to stop it as it's freakin' LOUD and annoying! Jacked the front end off the ground and manipulated everything by hand and couldn't figure it out. Pretty sure it's coming from the LF corner of the car.

Any ideas as to what the issue might be?

[mudkicker715]

Lube (wd40) one bushing at a time to locate it.

[carnuck]

Also turn the steering and then spin the wheel by hand

[eagle87]

most likely balljoints, or the spring is shifting on the seat, may also be the previously mentioned control arm bushings or strut rod bushings

[Amc1320]

I had this once, it was the upper control arm bushings in my case

Can you make the noise happen while its sitting on the ground and pushing up and down on the fender?

I oiled them for several years before I finally just replaced them, this was on a Javelin

Good luck with it, squeaks and rattles are always a challenge to track down

Rob

[eaglefreek]

Mine was squeaking pretty bad last year. I sprayed the control arm bushings with a lube and it went away. It came back recently. Time for some more lube. 

[Zoro]

Yeah it squeaks when you push on the fender and when you jump in and out of the car. Hit everything I can find with WD40 and it still squeaked. The noise finally went away after doing 100 miles on the HWY in a downpour.

Sometime this summer I will be replacing everything that moves in the front end. My upper(?) balljoints are shot, just gotta get the time and funds to replace it all.

[captspillane]

Any new bushings installed? If so, it is probably polyurethane. Poly bushings squeak terribly always, no matter how much WD40 you spray.

The only permaneant way to stop Poly squeaks is to assemble it with lots of never-seize everywhere. Rubber isn't nearly as bad, but even any time you see rubber and metal in direct contact in my car you will see lots and lots of oozing never-sieze. It works better than grease to stop squeaks.

Never-sieze is essentially petroleum oil based vaseline saturated with aluminum dust to keep it from washing off easily.

[Zoro]

Only new bushings so far are the ones on the rear bracket that hangs down from the frame.

[Baskinator]

Mine has this same issue, really loud and annoying. I tried using a couple different things without any change. Will try again. Should've put in new bushings and grease fittings when I had the control arms off, but couldn't afford it at the time.

[DaemonForce]

Yeah it squeaks when you push on the fender and when you jump in and out of the car. Hit everything I can find with WD40 and it still squeaked. The noise finally went away after doing 100 miles on the HWY in a downpour.

Upper balljoint! (*･ω･)ﾉ

Sometime this summer I will be replacing everything that moves in the front end. My upper(?) balljoints are shot, just gotta get the time and funds to replace it all.

Don't forget the grinding wheel. If the balljoints are stock(likely yes), you'll have to tear out the rivets first.

[Zoro]

Yeah it squeaks when you push on the fender and when you jump in and out of the car. Hit everything I can find with WD40 and it still squeaked. The noise finally went away after doing 100 miles on the HWY in a downpour.

Upper balljoint! (*･ω･)ﾉ

Sometime this summer I will be replacing everything that moves in the front end. My upper(?) balljoints are shot, just gotta get the time and funds to replace it all.

Don't forget the grinding wheel. If the balljoints are stock(likely yes), you'll have to tear out the rivets first.

Yeah, who thought that one up? Bottom ball joints have been replaced but the uppers are stock.

Do the new ball joints come with bolts to go in place of the rivets or do I need to source those from the hardware store?

When I go to order the new parts which brand(s) of balljoints are good? For the control arm bushings, which ones do I want?

Thanks!

[DaemonForce]

Yeah, who thought that one up? Bottom ball joints have been replaced but the uppers are stock.

Remember, AMCs were supposed to be cheap re-trades but they didn't turn out that way let alone disposable. All my grandpa's old Fords outlived their purpose and if these AMCs are left stock, they will someday outlive their role too. Anyway I'm guessing the factory didn't plan for these kind of parts to wear out so they just used rivets.

Do the new ball joints come with bolts to go in place of the rivets or do I need to source those from the hardware store?

That's up to you. I went with a really nice MOOG replacement that was $16 per joint. Has greasing points and everything. I think I got them from Baxter. I remember seeing these for sale at Partstrain but I don't have any record of buying ball joints there so I guess try Baxter and NAPA. Mine looks like #MOK3082.

[Zoro]

Yeah, who thought that one up? Bottom ball joints have been replaced but the uppers are stock.

Remember, AMCs were supposed to be cheap re-trades but they didn't turn out that way let alone disposable. All my grandpa's old Fords outlived their purpose and if these AMCs are left stock, they will someday outlive their role too. Anyway I'm guessing the factory didn't plan for these kind of parts to wear out so they just used rivets.

Do the new ball joints come with bolts to go in place of the rivets or do I need to source those from the hardware store?

That's up to you. I went with a really nice MOOG replacement that was $16 per joint. Has greasing points and everything. I think I got them from Baxter. I remember seeing these for sale at Partstrain but I don't have any record of buying ball joints there so I guess try Baxter and NAPA. Mine looks like #MOK3082.

I hear ya, dunno how many people have seen my Eagle and said they didn't expect the Eagles to be around this long let alone this well.

Is that part number good for all 4 joints?

What do you guys recommend for shocks? I need something on the extreme duty side as I do lots of time on dirt roads.

[carnuck]

Moog K3082 for upper and Moog K3153 for lower ball joints.

$12.32 and $26.79 each from Rock auto