Steering Column Whistle?

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Feb 20, 2007 | 02:43 PM

wfof250v10

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From: SPARKS NEVADA

Steering Column Whistle?

Hey guys I've never posted anything before, but love the info that comes from the site. I've got an issue with my steering column whistling, usually when I'm towing and the brake control is on. Have any of you had this problem, I'm not sure its a problem YET?

Feb 20, 2007 | 05:34 PM

Monsta

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From: Washington State

Should we all assume that it won't do it if the brake controller isn't hooked up?

When does it whistle? When turning the wheel or ?

Feb 20, 2007 | 05:38 PM

Fredvon4

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Sparks Nevada (easier to type then your screen name)

Tell us a lot more about the vehicle

05 ford trucks with some front end issues have a TSB that recommends replacing the steering wheel itself...I had this done and still have no earthly idea what it was supposed to do to fix a front end oscillation

You might have steering pump whine resonating up the column but it would be the first I heard of this... you night have too much or too little tongue weight and when towing the front end is too light or too heavy and causing tire noises resonating up the shaft

This is a new one...whisteling steering column...is it a tune we could hum along with?

Feb 21, 2007 | 11:44 AM

wfof250v10

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From: SPARKS NEVADA

It's not a whistling tune to sing along with....it only has done it right after starting the the truck both with the 9,200 lb 5th hooked up and not hooked up. the streering pump resonating might be something to check out. I hope the 5th isn't to heavy. I am upgrading from the 3.73's to 4.30's this month to increase the towing capacity.

Feb 21, 2007 | 12:05 PM

wfof250v10

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From: SPARKS NEVADA

I noticed the truck info isn't showing. I have a 04 F250 SD V10 4X4 with 3.73 rear, 12.5K hitch, off road package, superchips tuner for towing and no other mods yet.

Feb 21, 2007 | 12:11 PM

krewat

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

I had this done and still have no earthly idea what it was supposed to do to fix a front end oscillation

The weight of the steering wheel was just enough (or not enough) to set up a harmonic with the spool valve in the steering box. Hit a bump just right, the steering box moves slightly to one side. The spool valve opens up, putting pressure to push the wheels back the other way. Somehow, the weight of the steering wheel pushing back on the spool valve was enough to cause the spool valve to rapidly cycle back and forth causing that "death wobble" - or at least, that was the working theory

Don't know if it really did anything though...

Anyway...

This is an interesting topic...

Go over how it happens again. Just after starting? Doesn't matter if the trailer is hooked up (electrically!) ??

Feb 21, 2007 | 03:20 PM

wfof250v10

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From: SPARKS NEVADA

Just after starting the truck, the whistling sound starts and lasts for maybe 30 seconds. It's done it the most with the 5th attached and electrical hooked up, but it has made the sound after unhooking the 5th. Again it only lasts for about 30 seconds. It hasn't made the sound in a couple of months since its winter here in the Sierras and we've not gone camping lately. The last time it made the sound I took a cardboard tube and listened to see where the sound was coming from. It appeared to be on the cab side of the firewall and definitely from the column, but it's hard to pin point exactly where since its an intermitent whistle. I just realized the location of the Tekonsha brake control is near the steering column, maybe the sound is coming from that.??? Weird, I may have to hook up again just to check with the cardboard tube again.
PS: the info from everyone and this site is so valuable!!!...how do you become a supporter?

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Feb 21, 2007 | 05:13 PM

wfof250v10

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From: SPARKS NEVADA

we'll see if its coming from the brake control when I hook up later...thanks!
I just became a supporter so I'll be picking everyones brains for info..greg

Feb 21, 2007 | 05:33 PM

#10

Fredvon4

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Ask away we love a mystery

I bet it is steering pump noise, or brake booster vacuum, or brake controller filling a capacitor like a flash charge tube on a camera.... in that order is how I would eliminate things

Both the steering pump and brake booster could be checked with a longer gift wrap tube with hood up and some one else do the cold start so you can quickly see if pump or vacuum.....

I bet it is a whiner steering pump, and if so, the fact that it quits in 30 seconds probably means it is not going out but just a cold noisy one