Squeaking Noise Inside Cab

[JW20]

Hey guys, I've got a 97 XLT long cab/bed that has developed the most horrendous sound inside the cab. It's coming from somewhere on the passenger side and I cannot reliably reproduce the sound, or determine where exactly it's coming from. It sounds like maybe it's coming from the passenger door, pillar, or glovebox area. I've removed the pillar, door panel, glove box, and done everything I can to figure out what the noise is. It sounds like two pieces of styrofoam or plastic rubbing together and it's loud. It's way more than just a rattle because even with music playing and the window down, I can still hear it over everything. I even took a rubber mallet and went around trying to see if I could recreate the sound; no luck.

Any ideas?

 

[Uncle Gump]

HVAC blower fan rubbing. Next time you hear it... change blower speeds and see if the noise changes.

 

[superj]

/\ good answer.

 

[pjtoledo]

going to need some creativity
sit in the pass seat with a flexible hose of several feet length
one end in your ear, move the other around until it gets louder

and whatever uncle gump says

 

[JW20]

HVAC blower fan rubbing. Next time you hear it... change blower speeds and see if the noise changes.

I thought that was it for sure so that was the first thing I did. No change; it does it regardless of whether the fan is on or not. I also thought maybe it was the fresh air louver but it's not that either.

 

[sgtsandman]

Do you have a four door supercab? Sometimes the latch bars wear and cause squeak issues.

 

[JW20]

Do you have a four door supercab? Sometimes the latch bars wear and cause squeak issues.

I wish. It's just the two-door version. I think I might have someone else drive the truck so I can sit in the passenger seat and figure out what the heck is making that sound. Just gotta find somebody that can drive standard.

 

[dvdswan]

Take a look around the door and the jamb for any rubbed/scraped paint. The hardest squeak to find is a broken spot weld. So, knowing how to recreate the squeak will sure make it easier.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Try taking the door panel off, my drivers side door makes a horrible noise at times when driving... I went to the extent of putting duct tape on the metal side of all the contact points, since the panels aren't really held securely with the what, 4 screws? they're somewhat wobbly... it got better when I replaced a broken screw section with a washer for more support...

 

[JW20]

Thanks for tall the suggestions everyone. I had someone drive the truck and I opened the passenger door when it started and it seemed to stop. I had the panel off previously trying to diagnose the issue and could not find the noise. Next step is to lube the door seals and check for spots where it might be rubbing. The passenger door rarely gets used and sometimes has to be yanked open, so I have a feeling that has something to do with it.