Squeaky Over Bumps

[KingDEL23]

Recently, I've been driving around with my windows down, and I've been hearing squeaks come from the front suspension. I'm not exactly sure what it is because everything up there is OEM (137K on the car) besides the springs, but I'm leaning towards it being a bad ball joint. If it is a bad ball joint, then to anyone who has replaced it, did you replace it with an aftermarket ball joint or did you use an OEM pair? Thanks for your help guys.

[8=Anonymous=8]

Try This first

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl2HeNrut7s&feature=plcp
no idea where you get the food grade lubricant though

also, not my vid

[strictlyspeakin]

Ball joints are not all that expensive either way oem or not, but it's not what I'd suspect first. If you're conflicted go oem.

I had some squeeks too. They went away mostly when I installed new control arms ( ball joints and the control arm bushings). My control arm failed so I had to change them, didn't do it for the squeeks.

[W202FTW]

I only use OEM parts when it comes to sensitive things like suspension or engine related issues.

Jack up the car, and try to move your wheel up and down with a long bar under the wheel, if you feel some play - that's a ball joint going out.

[ldawgtheg]

Most likely it's the ball joint because when I swapped out my original suspension with coilovers on my old BMW, the squeakiness still existed. It was the ball joint that was actually bad so I'd bank on that and the advice above. ^

[KingDEL23]

Yea you guys are right, I jacked the car up, and realized their is so much play in the front wheels, so I guess I'll be changing the tie-rod ends and ball joints with Febi. Does anyone have a recommendations on which brand to go with, or is the cheaper aftermarket stuff nearly the same quality as OEM? Thanks again