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Car Steering Question
Ford Vehicles Discussions About Ford Cars (alt.autos.ford)
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#1
 
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Car Steering Question -
10-04-2009
, 01:03 AM
#2
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My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. |
It used to be that an "oil change" consisted of an oil and filter
change, as well as a lube job. I suspect the 2000 LC doesn't have
serviceable grease fittings, but given your description, it makes me
wonder.
#3
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On Sun, 4 Oct 2009 00:03:42 -0500, "Scott" <golden (AT) uslink (DOT) net> wrote: My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. My first question would be just what happened during that oil change. It used to be that an "oil change" consisted of an oil and filter change, as well as a lube job. I suspect the 2000 LC doesn't have serviceable grease fittings, but given your description, it makes me wonder. |
Spacebar/ seems/ to/ have/ an/ extra/ character/ sorry./ Spilled/ some/
water/ on/ it.
Had/ two/ mustangs/ and/ it/ was/ the/ lower/ balljoints,/ they/ also/ move/
alot/ when/ lifting/ the/ vehicle/ by/ the/ frame./ / Injecting/ grease/
thru/ the/ boot/ solved/ it/ both/ times/ after/ lubing/ everything/ else/
in/ site/ failed.
zz--
They can have my command prompt when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.
#4
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My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. Thanks! Scott |
#5
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My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. Thanks! Scott |
#6
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at 120k miles, you are overdue for ball joints. give it a few days, and i bet the noise will return "Scott" <golden (AT) uslink (DOT) net> wrote My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. Thanks! Scott |
Yes, the noise has returned...but only when driving slowly, and it only
makes the squeaking/creaking noise when turning the wheel to the left.
It doesn't sound like it's not in the steering column, but farther down.
Sound like ball joints to you?
Thanks!
Scott
#7
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My wife has a 2000 Lincoln Continental with 120,000 miles on it. For awhile, there's been a low level squeaking/rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel both ways at low speed...intermittently. It sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the steering column and not down lower by the wheels. To me, it sounds like a rubber bushing rubbing. Last night, when the nighttime temperature went from the 50's to the 30's, it was more pronounced. I took it to the Ford dealer for an oil change today. They said the power steering fluid level is okay and suggested it may be one or more ball joints being worn (around $100ea plus labor). The tires have been wearing unevenly, and they're near the end of their life. A few months ago, they checked the alignment and said it was okay. When they finished, I drove the car out....and there's no more noise when turning. It's as quiet as the day it was new. I suspect they raised the car on the lift to check it out the ball joints and then lowered it again. So what was it about raising and lowering the car that stopped the squeaking? I'm not complaining. I'm wondering if that gives a clue about what was wrong. Thanks! Scott Update: |
Experienced mechanic working from home garage shot grease in the
boots. No more squeaking when turning steering wheel to left. Yes,
the ball joints may be worn, but this took care of the immediate problem.
Cost = $15.00.
Scott
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