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Chris!
You need a better diagnosis.
You do need to replace the steering rod on the right side. There is
a tool that clamps on and pushes the pin out of the tapered hole.
Most part or tool stores sell them. They are a great investment.
In my experience the squeaking you mention is related to a bad lower
ball joint (the one on the outboard end of your lower A-frame).
The end result after a lot of squeaking is that it lets go and your
A-frame hits the pavement and your wheel is flopping loose.
E-mail me offline about a tool to help with this job.
The diagnosis of the front end (not counting wheel bearings, already
covered in another post) is to get under the car and have someone
turn the steering wheel back and forth about 90° rapidly while you
examine the various joints and idler arm bushing. You will be able
to feel or see the slack where there is enough to give you trouble.
Candidates are both ends of both steering rods, both ends of the
center rod, and idler arm bushing. Because of the weight on it the
lower ball joints probably will not respond to this test. The manual
gives a measurement for them, and if it doesn't match, they are badly
worn. Upper ball joints have much less loading and if the boot is in
good shape and they aren't noisy, and you can't move the top of
the wheel in and out, they are probably OK. A-frame bushings can
be visually examined and if you haven't replaced them, you probably
should at least look them over closely.
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