Screeching Noise When Steering

Hey all;

I have an 02 AC. The other week I got stuck in mud, and got a terrible screeching noise when steering . I pressure washed the vehicle, but it still stayed. Was thinking maybe I should take off the tires and wash.. curious to see what you guys think. I will add videos if it’s possible .

thanks!!

 

Have you checked the serpentine belt? Have you visually inspected the pump and its pulley for damage? When exactly does it happen, at startup, at every turn, left turns only? We're not there, so you need to give more details.

On the topic of details, since you didn't fill out your truck into in the "Vehicle One Line Description" in your profile (HERE) to give your year, cab type, engine type and drivetrain, can you tell us what engine type and drivetrain you've got?

There's a squeal condition in the TSB section of this thread, but that's with cold starts.

 

Sounds like power steering belt slipping from the description.

Has nothing to do with the tires in any case.

 

It sounds like it is coming from under the vehicle, I tried uploading a video but it wouldn’t upload. Another guy recommended steering rack bushings, I’ll probably try that.

 

Video would be helpful. You can drag/drop a video from your phone into www.imgur.com, then copy the address bar link to Imgur and paste it here.

Before you buy anything, of course.

If it were me, and I were you, I'd jack up the front of the truck, and have a buddy turn the wheel lock to lock with the wheels in the air while you're under the truck to pinpoint the noise and where it's coming from. You got two guys on here telling you squealing reeks of belt slippage, not bushings, and that's not a coincidence. I'd be checking to make sure you didn't bork up your PS pump trying to turn when the wheels weren't able to. Maybe its pulley is seized. Maybe you burned up your serp belt.

 

Oh, and the power steering pump - since you STILL didn't list your engine in your truck info or tell us yet

But the about the "under the vehicle" thing.... power steering pump on the V8, if that's what you got, if just above the alternator, which is mounted at the bottom of the passenger side so "under the truck" would make sense.

I'd also be looking for anything you might've bent while stuck in the mud. But screeching ... pulleys or belt.

 

And, noise has a way of traveling, resonating. I was told my horrific squeak, by two different people, was near the top of my shock tower. So after four hours of eliminating all noise at the top of the shock tower, I found the problem is my spherical bearings at the bottom of the coil over.

 

I listed my truck information in my bio. Is not allowing me to upload videos , will try figure out .

 

I don't see where it says you have v6 or v8.

Read my reply #5 for info on how to get a video on here the easiest way I can tell you. Either use Imgur.com or YouTube.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/KnrtlUVm3xc?feature=share

Here is a YouTube video.

 

4.7 V8.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/8hR3u_1IMgk?feature=share

Here’s another

 

That sounds like the typical squeak you'll hear from poly bushings.

Have you replaced any of your bushings with polyurethane at any point?

 

I have not. Another thread a guy thinks it is the LBJS, what do you think? It never happened prior to the mud, which makes me think it’s not the ball joints.

 

That is what it sounds like, mine was way less with poly, but my mounting bolts lost torque. Kept poly and tightened the rack up noise gone. But I could recreate the noise in park just turning the wheel a bit.

 

It would definitely be a relief if it wasn’t LBJ. I’ll definitely look into bushings

 

Sounds like a ball joint or maybe a tie rod end to me. Carefully look for any torn boots. If you find a tear, spray some lube in there, a new silence will confirm the source of the noise. Then change that part out, at the very least.

 

Okay, the noise also happens anytime I go over a bump/crack. Leads me to think it is part of the suspension.

 

Not necessarily the case. It could be anything attached to the front suspension also.

Look, you know better than anyone what bushings have been swapped out. Based on the sound, you're looking for something with poly bushings, IMO. Have you replaced any bushings, or maybe you haven't had the truck long enough to know what bushings have been replaced?

Speaking of suspension, you haven't told us what you're running for upper/lower arms, if you're lifted, etc. and give us more details on that.

But if your rack is using poly bushings, check the torque on the bolts. A jolt to the suspension would jilt the rack and potentially cause that long drawn out squeak.

 

indeed, that narrows it down a lot.

 

I ordered new Lbjs. I figured I’d rather be safe than sorry because they haven’t been swapped out yet, if that doesn’t work I’ll do the bushings .

 

Which bushings?

Dunno why you'd do the LBJ's, ow how that makes logical sense, but make sure you go with OEM and use new hardware. Don't make me post any of the hundreds of pics of 1st gen owners with their front wheel tucked up under the truck because they went aftermarket LBJs and/or re-used hardware. This is a very well-known problem.

 

Following...I have the same noise but it's intermittent. On bumps and turning over bumps. I know my tie rod end bushings are shot, thought that was the cause, I do note a bit of bump steer, but not all the time.

 

100% think ball joints. That squeak has weight on it. Mine have made this noise. Easy way to diagnose, put some grease in your ball joints one at a time until it goes away.

 

That's a really long squeak for BJs though...