When turning the steering wheel, there's a squealing noise that seems to be coming from the steering gear. Could be the pump, but I don't think so. Any experience with this?

'97 Expedition 50K mi.

 

Sounds like a loose or glazed power steering pump belt. Try tightening the belt a tad. For a temporary cure/test, spray some belt dressing on the PS belt.

If it stops the noise, that's your problem. You would probably want to replace your belt.

 

I had a similar squeal on my f150, 4.6, 55K miles. Still under warranty, the ford dealer changed the pitman arm and it no longer squeals. I had thoughts of the air bag or some other component under the steering wheel or in the steering column.

 

A co-worker and I are having the exact same problem.
Is there a way to lube the tie rod elbow joints? The squealing
seems to come from the joints but there are no grease fittings, do you have to use a grease needle?

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Feb-01 AT 04:41 PM (EST)[/font][p]I have the same problem on 97 4x4 with 55000 miles. Did you find a solution yet ? If so would you please share it with me. Thanks.

 

I HAVE A 97 4\4 AND THE FRONT END SQUEALS ALSO I'VE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND RAISED HELL AND I THINK EVERY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD DO THE SAME .IF ENOUGH PEOPLE RAISE HELL MABEY THEY WILL GET ON THE BALL.

 

I work at a Ford dealership, telling you what I've found, it's 90% of the time the Pittman arm. A quick way around it, is exactly as you said, put a grease needle in it and lube it up. It'll last about 6 months. Ford will repair this for you given your within X amount of miles, but like anything "the louder the wheel squeaks, the more grease you get"... What I mean is, you don't have to raise a stink, just contact your local ford rep and they quite possibly will be able to help you out. Now, about 10% of the time you will find lower ball joints to be the culprit. Kinda makes you wish they would have rememberd to engineer some greese tabs into the 'modern-day' suspension systems. After all, we still have corrosion, right?

 

The pitman arm is the problem. I had the same thing on a 97 f150 sc 4x4 , with 57000 miles. Costed 115$ at local ford shop.

 

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 97 EX-CAB 4/4. I CALLED FORD AND THEY CALLED MY DEALER AND OKAYED THE REPAIRS NEEDED THEY REPLACED BOTH TIERODS AND THE PITMAN ARM AND WITH THE FORD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM I ONLY PAID 50.00.BY THE WAY MY TRUCK HAS 61,000 MILES

 

I have the squeak & it's annoying. My truck is off warranty so I will probably have to pay. I'm just curious - when you guys call Ford what # do you use? I would like to give that a try & see if they can help.
Thanks in advance for your help! BTW - my email is Cowlady18@cs.com in case you don't want to post the number here. Thanks again!

"If you can't beat 'em, you're NOT driving a Ford"

'97 F150 XLT ORP 4X4
4.6L/auto, power everything!

Just got the truck - stay tuned for more info!

 

I have a 97 F150. My left outer tie rod end failed, when the truck was 3 yrs old. It came comepletly apart. Looked like there was never any grease inside it. It was suggested that a stick or something tore the boot off, and the grease was washed away. But, I remember finding it to be very sloppy, while I was changing the brake pads a couple of months before it failed, and the boot was fine. The other side is still good to this day.

Actually, I was changing rotors and pads because there was none/not enough grease on the pins the caliper floats on. Wore out one pad (opposite piston) while the other was barely worn (piston side). This means the brakes were dragging, costing gas/mileage as well. Was there a shortage of grease when my truck was built? I guess this is a complaint for a different thread, though.

I have heard many complaints about the pitman arm. Mine seems to OK, and is the only component that had grease fittings from the factory. I bought my truck in November 96. I don't know if the pitman arms that get the complaints have fittings or not.

Don't rule out the ball joints either. I remember Chevy having trouble with their "ungreasable" ball joints in the early 90s. They made a teeth-chattering noise when the wheel was turned.

I remember paying about $.45 for a grease fitting at an auto parts store. Ford would be getting a better deal on bulk, of course. I would have been willing to pay a few dollars more for my truck, if it came with fittings.I can't speak civillyis wrong with them.

 

 

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 97 F-150 4X4.SO I CONTACTED FORD MOTORCOMPANY AND AFTER SAME MAJOR COMPLAINING .THEY REPLACED THE PITMAN & IDLER ARM .AND IT ONLY COST ME 50.00 BY GOING THROUGH WHAT THE DEALER CALLED THE FORD ASSISTENCE PROGRAM . BY THE WAY THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS PROGRAM THEY WANTED 300.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THE SQUEAKING. SO LOOK UP WWW.FORDMOTORCOMPANY.COM AND GET THE 1-800 NUMBER AND CALL THEM: