Hi guys, It's great to join the forum and this is my first post.
I have some issue with steering and hope someone can help me out a bit.

I have a 99 V6. Couple days ago I was mad and backed up my car real fast and that probably messed up my car because after that whenever I steer at corner or in a parking lot or even when the car is in park, weird noise(not clicking noise) comes from driver side front wheel. When the car is off and I get off the car, I hear some noise like when you let go of a compressed spring and again only from the driver side. I jacked the car up and turn the wheel, no noise but once the wheel is on the ground and I steer, the noise comes again. Would that be the suspension? By the way, before this happen, the steering wheel was kind of stiff to turn, any suggestion to improve that? Thank you guys.

 

You may have a ball joint that has run dry and is binding when you turn. It sometimes make noises that can be discribed as a "creeeeek" or a "scrunnch" noise.

P

 

Got pretty much the same problem w/ my '92. Get it looked at by a garage.......they should be able to tell ya for sure what's up.

 

I had it checked out at a shop and they said the lower control arm bushing that's doing it and the whole lower control arm need to be replaced on both sides. The estimate is $440 parts and labor. I really don't have that money now........ You guys think it's easy enough to do it myself? Or it's a good deal to have it done professionally?

 

drive your car a little easier, it'll last longer and you will spend less for repairs. Get a manual and a hydraulic jack. Most suspension parts can be replaced fairly easily as long as you properly unload the suspension. How many miles on your car?

 

I have 105k on it. Do I need special tools for that?

 

no not really but a ball joint seperator comes in handy..........I use the jack to load the suspension as needed while I work on it. You place the jack under the wheel knuckle and jack it up as needed.


Also, you need a t-belt of you have not done it yet

 

Yea, it's about time for the t-belt as well.

 

Go to a dealer and it will cost you anywhere from $700 to about $1K to get done. This includes all replaceable parts such as

Drive belts
Water pump
Tensioner
Coolant

 

While you've got the shop doing the Control Arm Bushings (I'm still not convinced, bushing haven't been much of an issue since 1990), have them check the Ball Joints for binding.
I'd be surprised if you didn't get a "By the way" phone call while it's in the shop.

P