I have been chasing a squeak in my steering that recently cropped up. I greased the four steering joints yesterday but it was still there afterward. But while doing that I noticed the steering stabilizer was leaking.

There are lots of replacement options (KYB, Rancho, and Bilstein to name a few). I went with a Monroe from O'Rielly, model number SC2961. They had it in stock, $38 before tax, lifetime warranty and made in the USA. Can't beat that, and as you can see it's a little more beefy than the stock piece.



Two easy to access bolts and nuts is my kind of install. All you need is 15mm and 18mm sockets and wrenches. There was enough room for me to use ratcheting wrenches and a 1/2" ratchet, which made things even easier. Here it is installed:

 

Looks good Justin, I might go that route I'm due for another one of those. I went with OEM last time, they don't last long.

 

Just drove it around the block. Good news is the steering feels fine lock to lock. Bad news is the squeak is still there.

What am I looking at next? Please don't say ball joints, my truck only has 42k miles on it.

 

I doubt it's ball joints the factory ones tend to last a while.

Is the squeak noticeable at slow speeds 5 mph or less while turning, or if you turn the wheel lock to lock, is the sound in the cab or coming from outside? I have had a squeak that comes from the boot on the fire wall where the column goes though. Vaseline works good.

 

When I bought the truck a year ago, during the inspection he said one of the ball joints was starting to get loose. But he still passed me.

The sound seems to be outside and down low. I have to listen for it, it's not super loud. I only started noticing it with the windows down (nice weather recently). It happens turning either direction and is constant while the steering wheel is being turned.

 

Yeah, it's probably not the boot then. Front end noises are tough to diagnose, you need to get under there and start moving stuff, double check the ball joints etc. Hopefully someone else will chime in and be able to give you more guidance.

 

Hey justin03psd I just went and bought a replacement after seeing your post. Did it work ok for you? I see the shock is bigger, did you need to adjust anything? Thanks for the info.

 

Nope I used the stock bolts to attach the new one. I put a little grease in the bracket to help it slide in place, and it fit like a glove.

 

I have been getting mine at Advance Auto. Lifetime warranty and they last about nine months . All you need is the receipt for free replacement. I tried a Rancho once, it lasted about the same. I think my next will be a Bilstein.

 

Ball joints are a possibility. I wouldn't rule them out just yet.

BTW, how does the steering feel now that you have the new stabilizer installed? Any changes for the good or bad? This is on my list for summer maintenance.

 

I just bought one and installed it. Very easy and a good price. I want to see if it rides any different I bought the truck about 6 months ago and as far as I can tell it is the stock one with 104000 miles.

 

I haven't driven it much but it seems to take bumps better.

 

Get the front end off the ground, get under there, and have someone turn the steering wheel for you. You'll track it down, especially if it's constant while turning the steering wheel.

 

I see a lot of people replace your steering stabilizer preaty often, do they wear out that quick?

 

The one I just replaced at Advance Auto was a Monroe.