Would the control arm bushings make a metal to metal noise . lot of play in those bushings.dont know if the problem is the bushings or ball joints?

First see if you can determine where the noise is coming from. Then see if you can see and worn parts . I do not know how knowledgeable you are but you should get it checked out. Have it put up on a hoist and have it checked out. Too many possibilities. Ball joints, struts, brake system parts worn or loose, swaybar bushings, control arm bushings loose wheel lugs and so on. Having someone who knows what he or she is looking at can save you a lot of grief.

Sway bar bushing, Ball joints and Strut Mounts make these noises. See if the ball joint have grease fittings then get them greased. Check if Control arm bushings have play and can they be pumped with grease. If Control arm bushings have play then change the complete Control arm which will be economical in the long run. Please check and get back to me with more information.

Best Answer - Chosen by AskerWhat is the difference between control arms bushions and ball joints. There is a big difference between the two and the job they do. The bushion conect the control arms to the fram. There are two bushion per control arms. So there is a total of four per front wheel. Two for the upper control arm and two per lower control arm. It let's the vehicle go up and down. And is the back half of the the system that hold the coil spring in place with the two control arms. The ball joint are known as upper and lower ball joint. So you have two ball joints per front wheel. They hook in to the outter end's of the control arms. And hook to the top and botton of the spinner. They allow you to trun the wheel's to the left and right. Along with the spinner hole the outter side of the control arms to hole the coil springs in place. Putting the spring under pressure. In small a Srud is used and takes the place of the bushion's and ball joint's.
What has play in it? There should be some play but you should be able to move it by hand. Most ball joint's can be lubbed. If it still has play of a 1/4 inch it should be replaced. A really bad ball joint can pull out of the socket. This will cause the wheel go up in the fencer well. If the top one brakes loose the wheel will lay down. That is the danagous of the ball joint giving away. It will be hard to control the car to a stop. The bushion's will let moving of the part and wear out the front tires really fash.
I know you don't care to hear this. The car should go to a front end shop. Where they have the special tools to do the job safety. Pluse can line the vehicle back up. When it will need. It be cheaper than a roll over.

Source(s):

ASE & Master Mechanic

this vehicle is known for suspension noises the most popular of which is the upper control arms but there is trailing arm bushings and ball joints that make almost the same identical sound. you can jack the car up on one side when the tire clears the floor hold the tire at 3 and 9 o' clock and rock left to right and feel for any play or lose feeling in the suspension it is supposed to be rigid the slightest play in any of these items you wont believe the racket they would make. do the same for the other side as well...then hold the tire at 12 and 6 o' clock and rock the tire up to down and do the same for the other side., if it is suspension bushings or upper ball joints you will find it like this. the lower ball joints however is a lil more tricky jack the car up on one side placing the jack under the lower control arm as close to the ball joint as you can go and jack till the tire is about 1-2 inches off the ground stick a bar under the tire and pry the tire higher off the ground and release repeat this till you can confirm weather there is play or not in the lower ball joint NOTE: it is best if you do this test with 2 people one to look at the ball joint while the other works the tire. for the trailing arm bushings you need 2 people for this one as well..... have someone drive the car forward 5 feet then step on the brake do it in reverse as well and step on the brake, fix your eyes to the back of the tire 3 o' clock on the driver side and the fender and see if there is excessive play. NOTE: the wheel is supposed to give a little but that is about 1/2 of an inch front to back any more and these bushings are bad.
vbninja E.A.P

It comes as one whole piece and i just searched around for a control arm that might have removable ball joints, couldn't find one its one solid piece. Makes it cheaper for you but in all reality, you get a lot better of a product and it does keep the ball joints in better condition for longer. Also because since you get a new control arm you get the new bushings that help get rid of noises and gives you a better ride in the end. Hoped it help

It could be several things.

1. Strut is worn and the rod is rattling.
2. The ball joint or control arm are worn. A new control arm comes with the ball joint and a new bushing.
3. The inner and/or tie rod end is worn, allowing the wheel to rattle.

Raise the car and support it. Twist the wheel back and forth while observing the tie rod. Look for play in the inner and outer connections. If this is ok, place a pry bar under the tire and lift up while observing the ball joint and control arm. You should not see any play. Look at the strut. Look for oil on the housing. Look for play in the rod or a loose connection.

you can either buy bottom suspension arms with the ball koint atached or just replace the ball joints.

If the suspension arms are shot, then you should be able to feel this when driving over cats eyes in the road. when the wheels contact the cats eyes they wonder, the steering wil feel like its going both ways, not tight, kinda lose?

Ball joints dont squeek they knock! most times its just as cheap to get ball joints and suspension arms/control arms as one. some things dont translate that good from UK to Us the parts have different names here, but thats the same part I mean. When you remove ball joints and in most cases you have to when replacing the arms, they get damaged and rarely last long after being put back in place, you may aswell pay now for one lot of labour than pay twice.

Hope this helps

look for loose caliper, sway bar bushing, control arm bushing ball joints, anything that can move too freely

cv joint

front lower ball joints are possible cause, they wear out and start all kinds of noises, uppers are also suspect, either the ball joint or the control arm bushings. Did you put the anti squeek shims behind the pads?