Really annoying squeaking coming from steering wheel area- Please help!

[Sweersa]

I noticed a few weeks ago a squeaking sound coming from the steering wheel. It doesn't matter if I am going straight, turning, sitting there idling, even parked with the engine off, I can get the squeak to happen by bumping or jerking the steering wheel.

It is very high pitch and comes in very fast bursts.

It is especially bad while on a bumpy road. I can change (but not stop) the squeaking if I push hard on the wheel while driving.

If I bump the steering wheel the right way while sitting there idling, the squeaking can stay by itself in super annoying full auto mode. I really don't know where to go to locate what's causing this.

I took the top and bottom black covers off from the wheel, and didn't find anything loose in there, and it sounds like the squeaking is coming from somewhere more forward of the steering wheel towards the engine area. Are there bearings or something that I can check/replace/grease?

This has got me really frustrated. I have noticed the only problems I have to fix with my truck are annoying ones, not serious ones that render it undriveable, but still...this is killing me.

Anyone with any ideas?

 

[straycat]

Could be bad ball joints, Bro. Check them out.

 

[killj0y]

power steering pump? or PS belt?

 

[Sweersa]

I don't think it is the power steering because it does it when the engine is turned off, unless it is a loose component on the assembly.

I can manually make it squeak with everything powered down just by bumping the steering wheel. I saw a youtube video of a Ranger with bad ball joints, and the squeak it had is much louder than mine and the guy had to push hard down on the front end to get it to do it. I don't think mine is notable from the outside of the cab.

 

[straycat]

Spray some lube on the steering shaft connection. Look at it and see if you see something wrong with it. Have somebody turn the wheel and stick your head inside the engine compartment and listen for that squeak.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have had turn signal switchess make a really annoying squeaky/buzzy noise in between positions... may be something electrical.

There are bearings in the colum that may need lubed, but they would only make noise when the wheel is turned.

 

[killj0y]

like metal on metal squeal?

 

[Sweersa]

like metal on metal squeal?

Sounds more like plastic, but it could be metal. It sounds like a little baby bird chirping really fast.

I have to tear apart my dash as soon as I get a bulb in to replace for my headlight switch, so while I am doing that I might as well tear apart the steering wheel area and lube any metal to metal contacts I see.

Since it doesn't need to be running or be driven to make the noise, that makes troubleshooting a little easier.

I have read that if I remove the bolt that holds the steering wheel in, I will need to replace it. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have read that if I remove the bolt that holds the steering wheel in, I will need to replace it. Is there any truth to this?

AFAIK there is just a nut that holds the wheel on. That is how my Ranger is anyway... I have never replaced it.

 

[killj0y]

just make sure if you grease it, you use something that will last, not wd-40 or anything or your squeak will be back in no time!

 

[Sweersa]

just make sure if you grease it, you use something that will last, not wd-40 or anything or your squeak will be back in no time!

Yup, sounds like a plan. I have the red multipurpose synthetic grease that works on almost everything. I have used it on garage doors and guns with great success.

 

[doorgunner]

I got a similar problem as the OP.....but I only hear it on the passenger's side.....when my wife rides along

 

[Sweersa]

I got a similar problem as the OP.....but I only hear it on the passenger's side.....when my wife rides along

Haha, I don't have that problem yet!

On a more serious note I found out what the issue was. I had not tightened the 8mm hex head fasteners down enough that hold the metal kick panel under the plastic one held in with the 7mm hex head fasteners.

I had to remove these to change my dash lights out a few weeks ago. I took everything apart again (I had to install a modified LED to illuminate the head light setting switch which has always been dead anyways) so I tighened everything down really hard and the noise is gone!

I remeber it happened to a lesser extent before I replaced the dash lights, so the metal panel must have been disturbed or loosened over time.

 

[AllanD]

I noticed a few weeks ago a squeaking sound coming from the steering wheel. It doesn't matter if I am going straight, turning, sitting there idling, even parked with the engine off, I can get the squeak to happen by bumping or jerking the steering wheel.

It is very high pitch and comes in very fast bursts.

It is especially bad while on a bumpy road. I can change (but not stop) the squeaking if I push hard on the wheel while driving.

If I bump the steering wheel the right way while sitting there idling, the squeaking can stay by itself in super annoying full auto mode. I really don't know where to go to locate what's causing this.

I took the top and bottom black covers off from the wheel, and didn't find anything loose in there, and it sounds like the squeaking is coming from somewhere more forward of the steering wheel towards the engine area. Are there bearings or something that I can check/replace/grease?

This has got me really frustrated. I have noticed the only problems I have to fix with my truck are annoying ones, not serious ones that render it undriveable, but still...this is killing me.

Anyone with any ideas?

This squeel is very common... on the back of the steering wheel there are
atleast two (horn only) and could be three (Cruise control equipped) spring loaded brass "plungers" that make the contact for the horn and cruise control.

Typicallt the pale blue teflon grease dries out and the fingers first wear and then chatter making that squeel.

To fix this problem you MAY need to replace the contact block, in really bad cases the brass/copper plating will be completely worn off the slip ring contacts on the back side of the steering wheel requiring replacement of the wheel as well...

AD

 

[SamBurritos]

This squeel is very common... on the back of the steering wheel there are
atleast two (horn only) and could be three (Cruise control equipped) spring loaded brass "plungers" that make the contact for the horn and cruise control.

Typicallt the pale blue teflon grease dries out and the fingers first wear and then chatter making that squeel.

To fix this problem you MAY need to replace the contact block, in really bad cases the brass/copper plating will be completely worn off the slip ring contacts on the back side of the steering wheel requiring replacement of the wheel as well...

AD

Sorry to bump an ancient thread.

Does anyone know what this contact block part would be called so I can try to track down a new one?