Squeaking suspention - 1996 Ford Explorer

The Explorer has an unusual front suspension called a Torsion Bar system (no springs). As they get older, they squeak and groan.
All the parts are put together with bushings between the metal parts, and as these get older, the get dry and inflexible. And this causes the groans and squeaks.
At worst, they can make your handling sloppy. A new set of control arms, tie rod ends and ball joints is about $200 in parts, plus 3 hours of shop time to replace them. When you replace these parts you also get new bushings which usually stops the noises.