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Steering Squeeking

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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 10:57 PM
  #1  
Lariat4x4's Avatar
Lariat4x4
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Steering Squeeking

Hey all,

I have a question. My steering is squeeking at low speeds and at a stand still.

Is this something I can lube up? If so, what kind of lube and what would I lube.

Thanks for any input.

As you can tell I am a pro....hahaha....
 
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 11:29 PM
  #2  
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krunker
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From: LaGrande, OR
Seems this is a common problem with this year. There was another post similar too this and I think that the verdict was that it was related to the pitman arm. Anyway, my pickup does this also and no lubing that I have attempted has fixed it. Also the dealer tried lubing the steering joints but to no avail.
 
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 12:03 AM
  #3  
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Racerguy
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From: BC, Canada
Today at work I replaced a pitman arm to cure the same squeek. I haven't done one in a while but when the 97's came out we did lots of them.
 
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Old Mar 18, 2004 | 02:39 PM
  #4  
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JustinH
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Is the PS pump itself making a squeeking noise?

If the ATF in the PS pump gets burned up (hershey syrup color, very dark), then it will start to make noise, and eventually kill the pump.

It is a good idea to flush and fill the power steering system with Mercon V ATF fluid.

That silenced my noisy pump on my 96 Tbird, and my girlfriends 95 tbird.

You will be amazed how black the fluid is.

JH
 
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Old Mar 22, 2004 | 08:29 PM
  #5  
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dabrnx
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Sounds like the pitman arm to me. I just had mine replaced and it is quiet as new. Ford made these sealed compnents so there is no zerk fitting to grease. Cost was about $175 with labor at the STEALER.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2004 | 11:19 PM
  #6  
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Weird.. I've replaced all my tie rod ends (there's 4, I think) new lower ball joints about a year ago and the idler arm went on about the same time. I haven't yet replaced the pitman arm though, however mine sqweeks a little when I turn left and has been steering a little funny lately, seems like while I'm moving there's a little vibration when I turn, but at a stand still it feels fine.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 05:02 AM
  #7  
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fourty03
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From: Baltimore, MD
I had that same problem..... about 2 years ago. I hated that squeek! It was very loud - like a crane turning.

The way I eliminated the squeek, I bought a grease gun and the skinniest needle I could find .... about $10. I placed the needle in all the rubber boots located near the pitman arm and sealed the hole the needle made.... no more squeek! This was suppose to be a *temp fix but I never got around to it this day.

Earl
 
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Old Mar 24, 2004 | 08:53 AM
  #8  
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Capt Quahog
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I replaced the pitman arm in my '99 two years ago. It cured the loud squeak.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 02:17 PM
  #9  
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G Lewis
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You guys are good. From what I've read, I think I probably have a pitman arm making a loud squeak also. In my case, the squeak usually goes away after the truck has been driven for a while. Do you think it is likely the pittman arm is still the problem.

Also, I read on another thread that the boots near the pitman arm could be lubricated with a needle and that this should help the problem, even though it might be a temporary fix. What do you think about this?
 
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Old Aug 4, 2004 | 04:59 PM
  #10  
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kenwhelan
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From: Springdale Arkansas
On the squeaking. My 97 started at about 120k. I had Ford do the work, replaced all of the bushings in the front end and the pitman arm, also had an oil change and a transm fluid change. Totaled up to $1600 dollars but it rides quiet now, tires are not wearing like they were. The premium by having ford do the work was worth it.


kw
 
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