Hi,
New to this site and find there is a lot of info. and helpful people, thanks in advance. I have a 91 F150 with a 5.0 liter engine/ auto. The problem I'm having is that the front steering/joints/? are making a horrible creeking noise when the wheel is turned to the left or right.This is not a constant noise, but inconsistant. Going over bumps or bouncing the trk up and down does not cause the noise to occur.

I can not determine where it is coming from. I thought for a while it was from the steering box, but not sure. I know one of the ball joints is loose on the drivers side, but lubed it to see if that would stop the noise -no change. Also lubed everything else hoping to catch the culpert.

I have heard this very same noise on several other Ford trucks so I know other people must have run into this problem before. Please help as this noise is driving me NUTZ.
Ready-shoot-Big-Red (Trk name)

 

well, I don't have any ideas with the info you gave me, but have someone sit in the truck while it's running, and turn the wheels. It might be power steering... It could be in the suspension though, which would be something somebody ELSE knows a lot more than me about. I'd try to pinpoint the noise first though. It would help everyone on here immensely

Ryan

 

Ryan,
Thanks for the reply. I know my post sound rather vague and I have had somoene sit in the trk and turn the wheel while listening for the noise, but it isn't isolated to one location or I would have found it. I was hoping someone else would have had this problem in the past and found the solution.

zclocks

 

Sounds To me Like suspension Joints(ball joint's, tierod ends ) some people believe that you should only have to grease the front end every oil change ,but , thats just not true . try Pumping a couple of shots Of Grease in all those joints with a grease gun -but chances are the damage has been done and will get worse over time until you replace the ball joints. if you you don't know how to check those for wear ... jack up the front (both wheels off the ground) and while your jacking look at the ball joints and see if the steering knuckle shifts . also grab the tires and pull fairly hard at the bottom then the top while lokking at the ball joints -if there worn you'll see the movement. also i should point out that -if your truck has a front stableizer bar the links and bushings could be worn-have someone turn the steering wheel while you listen for the noise -also have them rock the steering wheel just enough side to side to make the front end components to move- check for play in all the linkages. other than that i would put a shot or 2 of grease in all those joints at least once a month -but no more than that or you'll rupture the dust boots -one way to be sure is to stick your finger on the dust boot while pumping grease and stop when you can feel some firmness there. hope this helps out.