98 front end noise...

[tmeader]

I've just gotten back from the shop for the third time in relation to this problem. First the sway bar was replaced. Second time they swore nothing could be found. Now the third time they have replaced the upper strut bushings, since the one on the drivers side was in need of replacement.

Problem is I STILL hear the noise. This is a 98 Plymouth Breeze (4D, 2.4L), and there is a creaking/squealing noise coming from the front end, seemingly on the driver's side. If you simply sit in the car and have some one push up and down on the left front fender, to bounce the car, you can hear the creak everytime the car comes close to bottoming out. In addition, the sound always seems to come when you make a turn and put some load onto one side or the other through the turn.

The mechanics in this area Laurel, MD, are out of ideas on this one. The last one looked over the entire front end thoroughly trying to pinpoint the cause, but couldn't find anything at all. He assures me that the front end is fine structurally... but good lord if this isn't the most annoying sound in the world.

ANYONE have any ideas on what might be causing this? Or heard of a similar problem? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance.
--
Tim

[Ronnie68]

I am no expert and i don't know exactly how the front end is set up in your car but a few years back i had the same problem on one of my cars and it turned out to be the lower control are bushing. i had it replaced and it went away. Just an idea.

[LB3711]

ball joints?

[bbozsik]

I had this problem in my '96 Intrepid on the passenger side. The sound got worse in cold weather. It turned out to be either a ball joint, or the rubber mount between the engine cradle and frame. I don't know which it was as they were both replaced at the same time. The rubber mount had actually disintegrated.

[carbonater55]

My sons 95 had the same squeking noise over bumps and so on. I traced it to the left lower ball joint. found a small tear in the boot and thought w.t.h. and shot wd 40 in the boot. Noise stopped immediatly. Of course we are know looking for a cheap source of lower control arms since, the ball joints don't come seperatly. Best price here (toledo,oh) is 140$ each . anybody have a cheaper source?