you guys should clean the suspention the put shock covers on.

 

Do those really work for keeping mud from getting in where the top of the springs rub?

 

Those covers saved mine from your problem and yes it dose keep the mud out at the top.

 

you need to replace your upper and lower bushing on the top of your struts, you have to do this ever so often,it depends on the kind of riding you do,mud holes, alot of off camber riding wear them out faster than any thing. wayout,out.......................ps. when you change the bushing be sure and take some real fine sand paper and get the old residue off the top of the strut where the upper bushing rides,also don't use any type of grease,it only attracts dirt faster which is what wears them out to start with, you will find your steering a little easier too..............

 

Which part number on this diagram is the bushing I need to replace?

http://partsland.com/index.cgi?N=115...x4-FRONT-STRUT

Also, is this something I can do myself or do I need any special tools like a spring compressor?

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

pivot ball top #5432872 and pivot ball bottom #5432871........... no it's not to bad to do, it's takes one wrench to hold the top of the strut and another to break the nut that holds the strut in place make sure you a good six point wrench to do this and lots of w-40 good luck wayout,out..............................

 

So the spring doesn't just fly off when you start taking that apart???

 

no you're not taking the spring apart at all, there's another big nut that holds the spring in place, all you're doing is taking the strut out of the upper a-arm; once you take that nut off on top, you simply lower the whole strut out of that hole the shaft goes in and you will see the lower bushing that you need to change, clean things up with some type of cleaner and put your new one in place,stick it in the hole and put your new top bushing in place,rubber washer first,then the metal one, then your nut, no nothing is going to fly apart, i promise...the hardest thing about the whole job is getting the nut loose if it's never been off before, good luck wayouy,out..............

 

Like others have said, the better the lube (I use synthetic grease) the longer they stay quiet - also keeps the suspension super smooth.