Hi,

Actually, I am the "Mrs." logging on to ask for help. I know, dang newbies. And yes, I searched the site for a similar question and after 2 hours, decided I needed specific help.

We recently purchased a camper with a 1994 Ford 460 (E350?). The steering wheel squeaks and not just a little...loads. Even when you touch it when the engine is off. The cruise control has never worked.

We are currently finishing up our 2 week trip to New England (my first camper experience or should I say last?) to do some leaf peeping and my husband's solution is to crank up the radio (which helps very little as the squeak is high pitched).

The only time the squeaking stops is when hubby presses very hard on the steering wheel.

We still have a 7 hour trip home and I'm not sure my earplugs are going to help much.

Is there anything we can do to stop the noise? It's enough to make a wife consider burial...yes, just for the camper...well, for the time being.

Stupid camper is supposed to be for his NASCAR trips. "Hey, let's cruise up to Maine, eat lobster, see some leaves...it will be fun!" Harumph. (Good thing it's Thursday and "must shut up TV" is on.)

Thank you.

Mrs. Chappy

 

Mrs. Chappy I hope you stick around. That was one darn entertaining post!!

I would also try to verify exactly where the squeak is coming from. Maybe from a u-joint in the shaft or somewhere else.

Has anyone pulled the steering wheel? I would try that an see if there was anywhere to lube with good quality lube. Not WD-40.

While in there you may be able to figger out why the CC doesn't work. COuld be a frayed wire.

Let us all know, ma'am.

 

Mrs Chappy,

Not sure, but a 94 has an air bag in the middle of the steering wheel.
Becareful of trying to take apart unless a trained tech does it . You don't want that mess on a trip where your leaf peeping.

Is this a tilt steering wheel?
Try a different pos. maybe the squeak will be less
in another pos untill you can have someone look at it.

Some of the columns had a plastic shroud that would slide up if bumped and catch or touch a moving part under the dash .

Have the hubby chk in the morning or when the TV is OFFFFFFFF!


I miss traveling in our motorhome leaf peepin
I got stuck in an October snow storm in the Adirondacks one yr.

Monsta's right very entertaining post too!!!
Rich

 

Thanks Rich...

Forgot about that airbag!

Ma'am? Got a manual?

 

Ken & Rich,

Thank you for your replies...manual? What's a manual? I'll see if there is one in the camper. No one has pulled the wheel. I'll make a note of it. I have no idea if it is a tilt...mayble I'll go squeak it to see.

We didn't make it quite up to the Adirondocks, maybe another year if the insane squeaking stops. Or I'll just follow in my new zippy little Vibe (180 hp, six speed, moon roof...I know you are pea green with envy). LOL

Right now we are visiting friends in Lake Carmel, NY, before heading home (VA) and if I can get the icky boys to fiddle with it before they head off to dirt track racing or the Bavarian fest with oompah band and BEER, maybe they can fix it with some super glue (just kidding). "Dang, woman, I've only had 8 beers, I can't possibly think 'bout a stupid steering problem until I've had 12...now get me some nachos." Okay Mr. Right.

Would graphite work or is that a bad idea?

Sure, I impulse buy on shoes, what's 30 bucks? But an impulse buy on a 20+ grand camper because you like the placement of the couch? No jury in the world would convict me....

Thanks again. Be back with a report tad later. It's either today or forget since football is on tomorrow. And yes, I understand football...I just get bored after the 6 inning.

Mrs. Chappy

PS...Hey Ken, we were on the Big Island last year for our 10th anniversary. Got to see the lava at night...way cool. I'm heading back to Oahu at the end of this month to drag my mom out to see my bro who is stationed there. He leaves in Feb for Afghanistan (flies Chinooks). I love Hawaii...can spend about 6 hours a day just snorkeling off the shore. I even know how to pronounce humuhumunukunukuapuaa (took me 3 days to get it to roll off the tongue).

 

Part Deux,

Okay...I found no manual, except for the postage sized owner's book. No substantive info there.

I tilted and it still squeaks...the tilt is close to the dash and the squeak lives where the wheel turns.

I yanked the top cover off where I assume the airbag should be. Big hole with wires going to cruise control...didn't see any frays.

There is a bolt that holds the top unit onto the column. I'm betting that can be removed and then we can get to the rubber casing that may be causing the noise. I'll try to hit one of the "marts" today for some non-WD40 grease-like substance.

Mahalo.

Mrs. C

 

Ah ha! So you don't have an airbag.

That bolt will allow you access to remove the wheel but you'll need a steering wheel puller (maybe) to get the wheel off.

Penetrating grease should be a good start. Sprays like WD-40 but sets up like grease.

Enjoy your trip back to Hawaii!

You did a really good job spelling the state fish! Did you do that from memory?

 

Aloha Ken,

Super on the advice. I have a steering wheel puller...my chubby hubby. His idea on fixing things is if it doesn't work, break it. Nice mantra for doing plumping. "Honey, where's the mop?" LOL.

Yes, humu was from memory. If you're gonna figure out how to say it, spelling it is probably a good first step.

Must go hit flea market before football begins. At least our Ford truck can handle the extra load. Power is good.

Thanks for your help and the trip good wishes.

Jeanne