Squeaky Steering - THANK YOU PHIL!!!

[TXSUT]

I'm getting a low-pitched squeaking noise when I turn in either direction. The steering fluid is at the right level, and it doesn't sound like what I know a steering pump to sound like when it's low on fluid or going out. Any ideas?

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXSUT:
I'm not sure what that particular steering joint that is squeaking is called, but it doesn't have a grease zerk on it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You sure about that? There's at least one zerk that's nearly impossible to see unless you look through the right front tow loop hole in the bumper. It's to the right of the loop and 6 or so inches aft. With the Fabtech kit on you should have 11 zerks in front.

[NoMoGMPG]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dan:
My skid plate was a b!tch to get back on. It has a few dents in it which apparently messed with the hole alignment. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Last time I took mine off it took two jacks and some air tools to get it back on. That was before the last Moab trip and right now I can see 2 bolts missing

Mine makes all kinds of noises all over the truck </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're missing those bolts because you needed an alignment.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
Sounds like he must live under that SUT of his! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, I've just greased my truck one more time than TXSUT.

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Daveh2:
I will be posting all that was done when I recieve the write up in a few days. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well?

Not that I have done anything of significance to troubleshoot this problem, but it's still there. Again, my squeak is happening only when I turn the wheel while at rest or moving slowly. It does disappear when the truck gets wet, but I don't see how it could be coming from the skid plate or anything other than a part of the sterring mechanism. I guess I've missed a grease zerk somewhere in there.

[VTSTOMPER]

I have had it for as long as I remember, and I have 5100 miles.

[rodster]

The more I think about it, the more I'm doubting you'll find another zerk immediately below the hard-to-reach one. I wonder if greasing that one will solve your squeak? Look forward to hearing your outcome.

[TXSUT]

In a nutshell, one of my pitman arms was missing its zerk (thank you dumba$$es at 4 Wheel Parts in Houston). A quick phone call to Phil to confirm where the zerk is supposed to be located so I wouldn't spend too much more time looking for the hole, and I was back in business with no squeak in less than 5 minutes.

I'd also called Fabtech and got the "That front-end kit is not made to be used without our lift" bull$hit.

THANKS PHIL!!! It was a pleasure speaking with you.

Thanks also to everyone else for trying to help me fix the problem, especially Rod.

-Pete

[AmericanPatriot]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dan:
Daveh2 - I have the same front end creak. Supposedly it's one of three things.

- front skid plate not tight enough
- crossmember bolts not tight enough
- A-arm bolts not tight enough.

I've tightened the skid plate and the crossmember but it still does it. This weekend I'll try the A-arms. I did notice that it would stop creaking for a while after a water crossing so something likes being "lubed". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have a front creak. Evertime I hop into my hummer I hear it. Have no clue what it is but it annoys the **** out of me.

[rodster]

You won't be able to get to all the zerks without a special adapter for your grease gun or changing one zerk to an L-fitting. Special adapter is the route I took and it sure made life easier with many of the zerks. Check this out for pics and info: http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/t...1/m/6621073341

Good luck!

[VTSTOMPER]

I have to echo Pete...Rodster and Phil have really been great in any of the questions I have come up with!

Very good to hear you got it all fixed up Pete! Congrats!

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXSUT:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dan:
Take it off & try it!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay, I guess I'll give that a try this weekend if the grease job I'm going to give it doesn't work. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you grease all fittings you'll have to remove the skid plate anyway.

[VTSTOMPER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXSUT:"Shut up bitch and fix me a sammich!" Yeah, right. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


ROTFLMFAO! Welcome to the couch if your lucky!!

[Daveh2]

Oh yeah, Conrad II snd Vstomper rule too. Thanks for helping me out.

[TXSUT]

I finally dropped the skidplate last night to see if I could find the squeak. And yes, it still squeaked with the skidplate removed, and I was able to find the offending part. I'm not sure what that particular steering joint that is squeaking is called, but it doesn't have a grease zerk on it. Dousing it with WD40 took most of the squeak away, but I'm sure it'll be right back to being very noisy after my next trip through the mud.

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Glad you got that fixed, Pete!

Now you got me concerned about my zerk count. How many with the one you added? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

To be honest Rod, I think 11 is the right number, but I'd have to do a recount. This one is on the backside of the pitman arm, and can be accessed without removing the skidplate. I'm sure you got them all, as thorough as you are.

[rodster]

Unfortunately, I changed the oil yesterday and finally put the skid plate back on BUT, if memory serves me, isn't there another zerk below the one you're asking about? About 4 inches below?

Again, if you count 11, you've found them all. Lube 'em all and see what happens, yes?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">And yes, I need to either replace that zerk with a 90 degree elbow zerk, or get the special fitting kit for my grease gun. I ran out mid-stream last night and got a pivoting fitting for my gun, but it was still too long to fit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've seen 90 degree grease gun adapters but most won't work since they require a straight-on attachment to the zerk like the normal gun fitting. The adapter in the kit that I got slides on from the side and sure makes easy work out of a few of the fittings. You'll need a flex hose for your gun, too. One comes with the kit and Harbor Freight also has a longer one that sells for <$5. It's a big help, too.

[TXSUT]

Thanks J! When I told my wife about the outcome last night, she said "Good grief, I bet you have 10 full hours invested in that 5-minute fix!" To which I replied, "Shut up bitch and fix me a sammich!" Yeah, right.

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dan:
Take it off & try it!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay, I guess I'll give that a try this weekend if the grease job I'm going to give it doesn't work.

[TXSUT]

Rod,

Instead of being 100% sure there was no zerk for that pivot point that is squeaking, maybe I was 100% WRONG! The one zerk you mentioned on the right side, through the tow hook hole, would that take care of the pivot that is roughly 4 inches below the zerk itself?

I'd completely missed that zerk even though I molested the hell out of that area trying to feel for one. Still, it seems a long way from the pivot below it, but I can't figure out what else that zerk would be for.

<bowing to your expertise>

And yes, I need to either replace that zerk with a 90 degree elbow zerk, or get the special fitting kit for my grease gun. I ran out mid-stream last night and got a pivoting fitting for my gun, but it was still too long to fit.

-Pete