Chrysler Repair: squeaking/creaking sound, chrysler voyager, alignment shop

Question
I have a 2001 Chrysler Voyager with less than 50,000 miles. Off and on their has been a squeaking/creaking sound that would appear for a bit then disappear, but yesterday it became a steady thing. It comes from the front passenger side of the vehicle and it seems that it may be the strut. You can hear the sound when you push the front up and down on that side when the van is off. My husband thinks the rubber has dried out on the top of the strut causing it to made this noise. Is there any way to grease or lube this strut or should it be replaced or do you even think it could be the strut as the van has so low mileage. How can we find out for sure what the problem is?The roads are in pretty rough shape here where we live, and the sound isn't as bad if the road is perfectly straight and smooth. Any information as to how to locate the problem would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Ashley,
None of the parts on suspension can be lubricated to reduce squeaking. The best approach would be to use a rubber tube of narrow diameter as a ear horn/stethiscope device to focus the hearing to each moving part of the suspension while a helper moves that left side up and down. Once you locate the source we can examine which part(s) have to be removed and replaced. If that doesn't work out, then perhaps a local front-end alignment shop will take a listen and identify which part is making the noise. The strut would only need replacement if it shows leakage or has failed to damp out the vibration of the spring action when it is compressed and released.
So spend a bit more effort to be sure to find the source of the noise, then consider the cost/benefit of replacement. I have the '02 manual which gives the details for part replacement.
Roland