My steering wheel makes a popping noise!
 

Hello i am new here, joined just for this problem,

I have a 2007 f150 XLT, and it does not matter if the truck is off or on, moving or not moving, whenever the steering wheel is sitting completely flat (straight) and i move it slightly to the left or the right it makes a popping like noise, very annoying! i can turn the wheel the rest of the way right or left and the noise doesnt happen, only happens when going back over the top if the wheels are straight. Prior to this happening my steering wheel was getting harder to turn so i lubricated both U joints, and this helped instantly, and then the next day is when the noise started, im not 100% sure if me lubricating it caused the noise (I honestly doubt it, would not make sense) but who knows, it is driving me crazy. The noise is mainly coming from inside the cab right under the hazard lights button, in the engine bay you can barely hear the noise.
Any help would be appreciated, i have an appointment at ford for it in 6 days, but if i can fix it at home i will try anything i can to fix it, Thanks in advance! I can post a video if need be, its very hard to explain,

It's probably the shaft that needs replacing. Those u-joints now have a lot of play because they were binding.

ok, ill take the shaft off and check it, and see if it still makes the noise with the shaft off

Hopefully, your steering wheel is not loose?

hopefully not! how would you determine that? i dont want to take apart the steering wheel, i know you can disconnect the battery and the airbag wont be active but i really dont want to mess with that, leave that for the experts.

Lift up and down on the steering wheel. If there is no play, it's probably not loose. I was afraid of the airbags too but I gave it a try on my Dodge Magnum. The clock spring broke and my signal light switch needed replacement so I dove in. You need to disconnect the battery for at least 15 seconds as I understand. I waited longer and disassembled the steering column and replaced the clock spring and the "multi-functional" switch. Fixed my problems and removing the air bag was a non-event.