The only real thing about my truck that I'm frustrated with is the steering system.

It's always had a lot of hydraulic noise (when turning). At first the dealer said it was "normal". Then they tried to fix it and I went through a month of hell as they replaced the steering box with two remanufactured parts and then, with my prompting a new piece from the factory in Indiana. The noise, after all that, is about 20% less than it was to start with.

Now I've got a strange clunk/pop, something I can feel more than hear, coming from the steering. It almost feels like something is loose. It is intermittent (which probably means my dealer appointment for Monday will yield zero results)and occurs mostly during braking (moderate to heavy -- nose dive) and when turning left. Never turning right. Have any of you dealt with either of these issues? I'd like to be able to tell the dealer about possibilities on Monday when I take it in for the second issue.

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1999 SuperCab 4.6L AT
K&N Filter
Factory Installed Soft Cover
50-Series Delta-Flow Single-In/Out (currently)
Wish List: More Rumble, 2/4 Lowering, aftermarket shocks to "de-bouncify" the ride

 

embinns

It happened to me as well. It's there. The system in this units is mounted in the firewall in front of the driver. Very close so you can hear it everytime.

The other noise could be lot of things, but you can start checking the joint in the steering shaft under the dash and everything from there to the other end in the motor compartment. Maybe you can find something before going to the dealer.

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98 4x4 Lariat SC 5.4L, 4 speed, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 LS in oxford white two tone, K&N Filtercharger, Stepshield door sill protectors, Performance Accesories 3" body lift and Lift Lips.

 

The pop/clunk that you feel could be the slip joint in the intermediate (sometimes called lower) steering shaft. Do a search for that. I had mine replaced under warranty, but it was a '97. I hear pump hiss when parking, when doing tight turns near zero speed, but not in normal driving.

 

I was just about to post a new topic on my new noise until I saw this thread. I have a smimlar noise that just started a few days ago. During right turns, especially on streets with one of those "drainage divots", I feel a thump on the floorboard of the truck. Like somebody smacking it with a huge rubber mallet. It also feels loose. It only does it under these circumstances. Left turns OK. NO play in steering at standstill. Just those right turns. It is getting worse each time. Felt more than heard. I also developed excessive brake squeaking a few days before. I am getting aggravated with this truck at 15,000 miles.

 

well, i was just about to start a new thread on this! at standstill, when i turn the wheel one inch in either direction I hear distinct rubbing type noises that werent there before, and I have a thumping clunking noise going over small bumps at low speed when turning in one direction only. cant recall which direction right now. just started. between this, pinging, and future door cracks that may or may not be fixed by the dealer, I am ready to get rid of this truck.

 

Andrew s - Don't know what year you have, but that rubbing sound could be the Pitman arm's "no grease required" joint binding up. Pitman arm is the lever that is attached to the output of the steering box. The other end has a ball-type joint on it. Have somebody turn the steering wheel back and forth a bit, while you look and listen down in front. Someday I'll replace mine with a greasable joint Pitman, but stabbing the boot with a grease needle and giving it a pump or two of grease took care of it.

 

Yeah, I've been getting hissing noise when I turn left but not right, any ideas? Thanks.

 

I think granpa is on to something. Yesterday it rained most of the day here and the noise subsided. I think the front end was wet and it acted as a temporary lube that quieted the noise.

 

Well, my truck just spent 3 days at the dealer. For all that time they told me the clunk is ABS related. Funny how it happens when I'm not braking if it's ABS related. They said they checked the entire system and there is no looseness to be found. So, it's back to driving it to see if it gets worse. I really don't want to live with this for the next 80,000 miles!

If ANYONE comes across this same issue and finds a resolution let me know. These intermittant problems are SO hard to get dealers to find.