Chrysler Repair: 2001 Sebring Lxi Front End Squeek/Creek, constant velocity joints, outer tie rods

Question
Roland,
I drive a 2001 Sebring Lxi. I just bought new tires from town fair and when mounting they told me I needed new outer tie rods. I replaced the tie rods and Town Fair said all the tie rods are fine.

Before I replaced the tie rods, the front end was making a loud squeek/creeking noise when ever I turned the steering wheel, and sometimes when I went over bumps. This noise continues after changing the tie rods, although not as loud. Any thoughts on what could be causing the noise? It sounds like something may need to be lubed (I am hoping). Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Fran

Answer
Hi Fran,
The steering joints and the ball joints appear to be permanently lubricated, so the only thing to check would be the rubber seal/dust covers to find if any have been damaged resulting in the loss of lube. If so, you could try injecting grease into the ball joint and/or around the edge of the boot as described below for a bushing.
Another more common part that produces a clicking sound at lower speeds noticeable when turning would be one of the 4 boots on the constant velocity joints is torn and allowed the grease to leak out. Usually the boots at the ends of the half-axles are the ones that go out. So look at those to see if either is torn. Usually the noise is not described as squeek/creek however.
Squeeking on bumps or when leaning due to a turn is often related to the bushings on the front stabilizer bar (anti-sway bar) mounted crosswise on the suspension. The manual does show that those two bushings have dust covers, and it also shows that grease can be injected into the bushing, probably by means of a hand-operated grease gun with a needle fitting on its end (rather than a fitting that mates with a grease nipple) that either probes around the edge of the dust boot or by puncturing the boot with the needle (no detail is given). You could try pressing down on the top of the front fender or bumper of each side to hear any squeeks that you could cause. If you can, then have a helper get down under the front to try and localize the source of the sound. I would suspect that the sway bar bushings might be the source and that some grease injected via a needle would quiet this.
A shop that specialized in suspension or alignment would be the most likely place to find the cause. Try a local, non-franchise sort of place as there is less likelihood of unnecessary replacements being proposed and also try to remain there while the mechanic is inspecting so that you can be shown whatever is recommended to be done beyond simple greasing.
Roland