What causes the various front end noises on a Panther?

[Breadfan]

My friend has a '98 Town Car and it's got some noise in the front end. He's now got 94,000 miles, and hwen he turns the steering wheel it makes a high pitched squeal. Not a power steering noise, but a front end squeal. It will do it at low speeds and while stopped and turning.

Also, his car does the same thing my dad's CVPI does. When turned at full turn in a slow turn, like parking lot manuevers, it makes a clunking noise. I'm guessing that's a worn balljoint?

Hope these are good descriptions! The clunk seems to be common on higher mileage Panthers.

[thePunisher]

sounds like a dry tie rod end or ball joint...very common....they dont have grease fittings and end up making noise after awhile....

[hbarrett]

My best guess for the noise when at full turn in a parking lot is just a lack of grease on the wheel stops. A simple fix is to spread a small amount of grease on the stops every couple of months. I don't think that this is a problem for the MM.

sounds like a dry tie rod end or ball joint...very common....they dont have grease fittings and end up making noise after awhile....

[TooManyFords]

Sometimes you get a Honda or a Toyota stuck up under there and they squeak real bad...

[texasvic]

My best guess for the noise when at full turn in a parking lot is just a lack of grease on the wheel stops. A simple fix is to spread a small amount of grease on the stops every couple of months. I don't think that this is a problem for the MM.

Indeed.

The front spindle is contacting the lower control arm.

[Marauder386]

Hey... I found a Kia sumthin or other ... I hear dem's good eatin fer brefas ...

[Breadfan]

Ok, I'll grease that pocket on my dads car...

Think the steering noise is a tie rod? Wasn't sure if the steering box needed lube of any sort. I'm not sure but I'm guessing the Town Car is a recirc. ball not a rack/pinion system like the MM and CV LX sport...

[MENINBLK]

Ok, I'll grease that pocket on my dads car...

Think the steering noise is a tie rod? Wasn't sure if the steering box needed lube of any sort. I'm not sure but I'm guessing the Town Car is a recirc. ball not a rack/pinion system like the MM and CV LX sport...

Starting with 2003, ALL PANTHERS have Power Rack & Pinion steering.

[ahess77]

sounds like a dry tie rod end or ball joint...very common....they dont have grease fittings and end up making noise after awhile....

I've got a 99 CV with 177k on it and I can't get rid of the clunk when slow turning/slowly over speed bumps/etc. I did replace the tie rod ends at about 160k. These are sealed units so you can't add grease and the grease was gone and they were completely rusted, water actually poured out when I took them off. BOTH tie rod ends had about 15mm of play they were so worn and rusted (I wondered why there was so much slop in the steering in the CV compared to the Marauder). With that scary discovery I replaced all the joints/knuckles with no effect on the clunking noise. I think it's related to the rubber mounts on the torsion bar on the front, I've bought them but I haven't gotten around to changing them yet.

[Sactown]

I've got a 99 CV with 177k on it and I can't get rid of the clunk when slow turning/slowly over speed bumps/etc. ......... I think it's related to the rubber mounts on the torsion bar on the front, I've bought them but I haven't gotten around to changing them yet.

Let us know how it works out.

[ckadiddle]

I had a 1997 CV, and a 2001 CVLX, bought both with low miles. Both clanked and clunked in the front and occaisionally the rear. Thusly, I am not surprised to hear similar noises coming out of my Marauder from time to time.

[wchain]

The Squeaking when turning left to right is usually a dry tie rod end boot.
I see this ALL the time with in service CVPIs. The solution?

Auto parts store sell an adapter to your grease gun with a hypodermic needle type fitting on the end. I grease them up like that and they're good again, and the hole is usually so small that seepage is non existant.

Good luck.

[Blackened300a]

Funny you guys should Mention Front End Noise! Just 3 Days ago, I was driving around my neighborhood and I noticed a Squeak coming from the front end! It only Seemed to do it when I was going straight ahead and it was getting annoying! I opened the hood and bounced the car while looking at the upper control arm bushings, No Noise there, I then see that there is a lot of water coming off the Freon Canister that sits low near the A/C Compressor, I thought that the water from the condinsation was hitting the belt when I was driving and that was my squeak sound!. I Picked up a new Belt, Installed it and Long and Behold, STILL SQUEAKING!!!!. Not only is it still squeaking, But its getting louder! Today I finally get my car on the lift and I start checking all the ball joints and bushings, Nothing is worn, or rubbing. The only thing I noticed is that the Stabilizer Link rubbed up against the Lower Brake Caliper Bolt, So I made a slight tweak to make sure that there is clearance. I put the wheels back on, Take it for a ride and Im not even out of the driveway when that DAMN SQUEAK RETURNS!!. Now Im pissed! I Pull the car back in, Get out and slam the door, When I do that, I hear the squeak! I then open the door and close it again, Squeak!, I pop the Hood and slam the Door, NO SQUEAK! Yes, The Stupid Rubber Height Adjustment rods on the Radiator support had no locking nuts on them and from vibration and opening and closing the hood, they Screwed themselves Down enough to make the HOOD Squeak!!! 2 1/4" Fine thread nuts later, Squeak Fixed and 2 hours Wasted!!

[ridinclean]

Last week I started hearing the same sound that you just described. It was happening on the highway and it was pissing me off. It was squeeking like nonstop, I will try to check into those adjustment rods. This also happens when I close my doors...

[Blackened300a]

Last week I started hearing the same sound that you just described. It was happening on the highway and it was pissing me off. It was squeeking like nonstop, I will try to check into those adjustment rods. This also happens when I close my doors...

Well I hope I solved the Mystery Squeak for you!!! It made me want to drive into a wall!
Pop the hood latch and slam the door if the noise went away, Its the hood adjustment rods!