Odd Steering Sound: Driver's Side

[marcredd]

I just got back in from a 550 mile round trip with no issues except I have a very distinct sound coming from my driver's side steering. Honestly, it sounds like an old door "creaking" open when I turn the wheel while at low speeds or sitting still. Steering still feels good and tight but the sound is definitely not supposed to be there.

Anyone else experience anything similar and if so, how did you resolve? 2000 model LS(v8).

Thanks in advance.

 

[milehighmikey]

I just got back in from a 550 mile round trip with no issues except I have a very distinct sound coming from my driver's side steering. Honestly, it sounds like an old door "creaking" open when I turn the wheel while at low speeds or sitting still. Steering still feels good and tight but the sound is definitely not supposed to be there.

Anyone else experience anything similar and if so, how did you resolve? 2000 model LS(v8).

Thanks in advance.

Lower ball joint. Replace ball joint or steering knuckle. One is a $40-$50 part, and the other, the knuckle, is a $400 part, which is the only way to get the ball joint from Ford. Euromark or similar, search here, sells the ball joints on Ebay. Rockauto.com also sells the joints now, so i hear.

 

[marcredd]

Kind of thought the ball joint / knuckle was a possibility. If it proves to be them, I'll have both changed out and be done with it. I can get both driver's and passenger(arm and joints) new on ebay for $450. It's the first "real" money I have had to spend on this car in 2 years(last was the tranny) so I have ZERO complaints about this small inconvenience.