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Squeaky Steering Wheel


kingmetal

Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
14
City
Oregon
Vehicle Year
2004
Transmission
Automatic
2004 Ranger XLT 4W4WD 4.0L V6 w/ 122,000mi

Here's a new one on me, my actual steering wheel started squeaking. I've had tie-rod ends and ball joints fail and make squeaky noises when turning, but this is literally just coming from the wheel itself.

My theory is there is dirt or dust trapped in there, because it started happening out in the desert (during a wind storm). A layer of dust coated just about everything in the the cab, and I noticed the squeaking. Of course, I also noticed it because the roads out there require a lot of steering input to avoid rocks and things, and I had logged about 1200mi of driving by then.

It's only noticeable during city driving (parking lots and stuff), and doesn't seem to happen until after I've driven for a bit. I know on Crown Vics the steering u-joint can go south, but that's generally due to LEO use, and a quick search doesn't seem to indicate that's a problem on Rangers.

I suppose I should pull the steering wheel and clean it, but I've never pulled a steering wheel and the fact that there's an airbag in there doesn't seem that fun.

Anyone have any input?
 
Anyone got any ideas? I looked up the procedure to remove the steering wheel and thanks but no thanks. Thinking maybe I could start with some spray lubricant but I don't know thing one about that. Anyone know what I could blast into my steering column that won't make things worse? WD40?
 
I don't know a whole lot about steering columns. I would start with compressed air before anything else. Check for plastic rubbing too. Then maybe wd40. As far as airbags and pulling steering wheels, I've done one on a 98 neon, not a big deal once you pull the airbag fuse. I imagine the ranger is the same but don't know for sure as I own first and second gen....no bags.

Richard
 
I'll get a can of compressed air tomorrow and give that a shot first, good advice.

The steering wheel needs a puller that I'd rather not buy and the whole procedure seems more than I want to deal with but I think I can make some progress first.
 

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