Groaning Steering Column
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Groaning Steering Column
The vehicle is a '97 E150. When I turn the steering wheel while standing still or at low speeds there's a groaning noise coming from the steering column. Don't think it's coming from the suspension (I've read about the pittman arm problems) - sounds like it's coming right from the column. Is this unusual? Should I get out the WD40 and start spraying away?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 326
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From: Southwest
Groaning Steering Column
If you take the plastic crap and armor off your column you will see a long skinny shaft. That's your steering column. The next step kinda varies from model to model but the idea is the same across the board. There should be a carrier bearing that lets the column twist but not shimmy. On some vehicles there is a zerk fitting. If you got good karma that's what you'll see and just hook a grease gun up to it and pump away. If not you'll need to pack new grease into that carrier bearing by removing it from the vehicle. On some vehicles there is a universal joint for the tilt steering. You'll want to grease that up too. Don't just start spraying WD-40. There is a lot of electrical stuff in there including SRS wiring that you do not want to screw up. Let me know if you have any more questions. Bob
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Groaning Steering Column
One place that you might want to try spraying the WD40 is where the shaft goes through the firewall. The bushing sorta thing they have there can make some noise and it usually doesnt take much lube to shut it up.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
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From: Texas
Groaning Steering Column
This Thursday I'm taking mine down to a local shop for em to rip the column apart. Mine has the creeking and groaning along with locking up occasionally and about a 1/4" of movement in the entire steering wheel assembly. If I keep the wheel tilted all the way up I don't have any problems for now.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Groaning Steering Column
hey fordtrucktexan,
let us know what the shop finds. i tried some wd40 in the bushing through the firewall, but it didn't help. it's always creaked, the groaning is recent. hasn't locked up yet, but that certainly doesn't sound too safe.
let us know what the shop finds. i tried some wd40 in the bushing through the firewall, but it didn't help. it's always creaked, the groaning is recent. hasn't locked up yet, but that certainly doesn't sound too safe.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
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From: Texas
Groaning Steering Column
Got it fixed today, took our mechanic about two hours tops. Turns out it was several bearing rings in the column itself, part of the whole tilt assembly. Came out fairly cheap too, $110.
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