So, the other day whist doing an oil change on the car, I noticed the passenger side had a rip in the boot of the lower ball joint. I am going to at least replace that side first then do the drivers side. Is this an okay procedure for that, or would I need to do both?
I noticed several weeks ago a squeak that is coming from the front end (I think) whenever I go over small cracks/bumps. As you can imagine this is not only annoying but also embarrassing! I am really hoping I don't need new shocks. Has anyone ever encountered this? I cannot reproduce the sound by simply bouncing the car. It ONLY happens when going over small bumps when driving.

If anyone has ANY ideas on what this could be, I'd really appreciate it. I used some silicone lube on the sway bar bushings, however I need to take them off completely to grease them well. Could this squeak be caused by the sway link bushings at all?
Thanks!


Also, I am not sure what brand of ball joints to buy, do I get the cheaper URO or the rather expensive Lemforder

 

Lem Forder are oem suppliers, so there's a reason they're pricey. Go with these.

Maybe have a good look at your front upper shock bushes, they wear over time and can emit noises.
I doubt the anti rolebar bushes, but they're pennies to buy and easy to change, they come with their own lubricant but a bit of copper slip on install takes care of that.

 

I used some heavy duty silicone spray on the shock bushings inside of the engine bay, and to no avail. I did it to both sides, as well as just spraying all over all of the rubber bushings under the car, the passenger side no longer makes noises, however I am at a loss on the drivers side. I am like 90% sure it's coming from the front. But it ONLY happens when driving the car, which leads me to believe it's a bushing somewhere otherwise if it were a shock, it'd do it when I bounce the car.?

The rear has the same shock bushings as the front, no?

As for the ball joints, I may get these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-XJ8-X...p=mtr#shpCntId

It looks like they are made by Interamerican Motor Corp, not sure if they're any good. I wouldn't mind some Beck/Arnley ones but I cannot find any.

 

So today I had my shop take a look at it (I was present for all work done) we put it on the lift, lubricated everything that moves, all the bushings etc, and it's still there. This leads me to think 3 things:
Strut mount
Coil spring insulator
or
A micro fracture somewhere.

Any one else ever have this issue before? If so, what could it be? I am thinking I should start with the strut mount, but it's kinda pricey (the cheapest I have see it is $69.00 after shipping).
ANY SUGGESTIONS ON THIS WOULD BE GREAT!
Thanks guys.

 

Try yanking on the sway bar links front and rear. You can eliminate these if there is no squeaks.

 

I've give that a go next time I put it on the lift, IE when I put on new ball joints in the next few days. The sound is most definitely coming from the front drivers side.

 

Just remembered, I didn't start hearing this sound until VERY shortly after putting on new breaks/hoses. Doubtful, but is there any possibility that this has something to do with it?

I will note there is a bit of a lip on the rotors. It doesn't make the noise when braking.