Ok hi guys!

Since our outting at CK a month or so ago I have been head deep in the AWD Astro I purchased. A mighty fine vessel for dirt cheap so far. I have swapped out the front brakes, upgraded headlamp, changed the fuel pump, rear bumper, Diff fluid and oil. She is good to goà Ordered all 4 KYB monomax all around for install next weekà

NOW, back to the Montero. Since we came back after that good awesome trip, she has developed a squeak in the front passenger side. I can literally lay on the ground and push the bumper up and down and hear it. Seems like it is coming from the Lower Control Arm. Are there any other diagnostics to confirm?

Also, it is a bit dangerous on the road at speeds. Mainly wind drift, it has some roll. I suspect the Idler as Johnny mentioned, but it really does look brand new.

Any thoughts on getting to the brass tacks on the issueà easiest first of course!

THX!
Matt

Get underneath it and have someone move the steering wheel from side to side while you watch everything move. You should be able to see if something is loose and not transmitting as much steering motion as it should be. Look at every component in the steering system first (gearbox, pitman arm, drag link, idler arm, tie rods), then check to make sure there's nothing in the suspension with excessive movement (ball joints, control arm bushings, wheel bearings).

Wheel bearing check: Jack fronts off the ground. Grab wheel top and bottom and try to gently move the wheel in a back and forth motion. ANY looseness is bearings.

You live down the street. Just freaking come over. Got my number?

John B.

Fixed Castle up, for the most part. He stopped by yesterday and we put his truck up on the jack and hit all the front grease points with the gun. Seemed to us like the noise was coming from the passenger side lower ball joint. Neither of the lower ball joints readily took grease and I didn't have any spare zerks to try out, but I did manage to get some grease in them. I drove it around the block, over some speed bumps and through some right and left corners and it seemed to be much less noisy.

The front steering and suspension seemed tight. We checked for any steering slop and wheel bearing play. He needs new shocks, and as usual, I suggested KYB Gas-A-Just. You might look at the KYB MonoMax, but only if you're going to be carrying a heavy load inside pretty much all the time. Like I pointed out, all 5 of the Monteros that were here (except Matt's) yesterday have the Gas-A-Just on them.

Took the pressure washer to the underside and knocked off some trail dirt and he was on his way, after we got an earful about Astro vans. You'd almost think Matt really likes them or something.

John B.

mmmmmmmmmmm Astro! Who doesn't?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/4855804423.html

Johnny thanks for buttoning me up!

Yeah the Astroà just easy and cheesy with some strong legs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Saving up for some shocks as we speak!