Wondering if anyone might have some suggestions of what to look at or if best to not drive and take to mechanic.

My 1996 f250 PSD makes an intermittent clicking/popping sounds from the steering column. Sounds to me like it is from the column inside the truck, not under the truck. It also acts like the power steering is out but not all the time and not to the same degree. Will get tough like no power steering but then will be fine then half power steering. The clicking and tough steering don't seem to coincide really. It had the right amount of power steering fluid, which was flushed a couple years ago. It does not make the classic bad power steering high pitch squeal/squeaking noise.

Sometimes when it is really hard to turn, it will make a LOUD clicking and then suddenly be easier to turn. Seems like something should be stuck in it but I haven't seen anything.

 

Does the steering wheel have any up and down play (place hands at 1 o'clock and 6 o'clock postion and lift up and down) or right to left play (hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock rocking side to side)?

Do the turn signals work and shut off after a turn?

Does the horn and cruise control work?

Kevin

 

Sounds like a u joint in the steering wheel is rusty. After so many years the grease comes out and no longer lubes the bearing.

 

No up and down play or right left. Signals work work and shut off like should. Horn works. No on cruise, hasn't since we got the truck 3 years ago.

Will look at u joint and see if looks like it. Thanks.

 

It sounds to me like the bearings in the column are getting bad.

 

dont suppose that would would be a pretty straight forward thing to change our would it?

 

Yeah, definitely rusty!

 

Where are these bearings you're talking about - above the dash or at the firewall or where? I have the same symptoms and it sounds like the horn or CC contacts near the steering wheel. But that doesn't explain the added effort to steer at times - to be honest it seems like, for having power steering - this truck requires more effort to steer than it should. I already lubed the horn/CC contacts several months ago and was surprised the noise didn't subside.

 

added effort at times is usually the u joint on the lower steering shaft that looses grease and binds up. you cant grease it but PBlaster may loosen it up a lil


the shaft is on ebay for about 200-300 depending on who is selling it

 

Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out. Did not know it was such a common problem! I see a u joint between dash & firewall. Is this the one?

 

So took the truck in for two issues? The steering noisy steering and not wanting to start, when it finally did would puff large amount of white smoke but not have the issue again until next day.

He replaced glow plugs and relay and tie rid ends and ball joints. $1350 later the two reasons I took it in were still there! However it started fine for a week or so then suddenly said looks like an injector (s). Wouldn't the computer have said that originally when ran for glow plugs? Not sure what this guy this, hi me for 1350 this week and $2400 next week for injectors? Probably tell me after that motor is blown, need to replace it next!

 

Computer don't monitor glowplugs. if engine isn't cranking over fast enough then white smoke can happen. Also could be the injectors need shims as when they wear timing gets retarded.


many shops don't know these engines well and take guesses.


Since you don't have the belt squeal I bet the ball joints and tie rods were not the whole issue
did you get to see the old ones? were they binding?


Is your steering tighter now?

 

Not sure where this thread is headed, now, but I'm leaning toward replacing steering column for noise and binding. For those with experience: Just how far down toward the steering box needs replacing? Thanks for any knowledgeable advice!

 

pop off drag link to pitman arm, see if bind exists


if tie rod on pitman removed and no binding, then it can be ball joints but they usually make a big pop noise and front end will wander a lot down the road when ball joints are bad


then remove shaft to steering box and see if bind exists in steering box or column
if bind in the box then see if adjusting nut was too tight


then on tilt steering there is a joint that can bind as well


once you remove shaft from steering you can see if the bearing in column are binding


these steering wheels will make noise with the horn and cruise control contacts scraping and seem like a bearing

 

Did some more problem determination. Bind is definetly in the tilt/steering area which is where the noise is also. Noticed some play/looseness (side to side) in the tilt/steering area that escaped me before. I should have paid more attention to the noise which turned out to be a warning.