I have a 97 8cyl 4.6L F150. This past summer I started noticing this squeaking noise when ever I turn my steering wheel to either the left or right. Seems more pronounced when going to the left. It does this without the engine running as well. During the summer, the noise seemed to go away after I had been driving for awhile. Now that the colder weather is here, it doesn't go away. I've greased the fittings underneath, that didn't help a bit. It sounds more like a bushing against metal rather than a metal against metal grinding sound.

 

What kind of wheels do you have?

 

I have the original stock aluminum wheels. I put one size bigger tires on, 75R/16's. The noise is made even when the tires are off the ground. I jacked the truck up, and turned the wheels by hand to try and pin point the noise. It's definitely coming somewhere in the front end. I couldn't tell where. I saw this other post in this section to something similar to what I describe. Something about a joint that doesn't have a fitting. And the guy mentioned he had insert this grease gun with a needle up under the boot to fix the squeak. I wonder if that's what happening with mine?

 

jefferydm,
I had the same problem with my 97 F-1 4x4. Last night I did a search on squeaks and read about a Pitman Arm. (I would suggest you perform the same search) Anyway the pitman has no grease fitting and that is the problem. Today I went to the auto parts store and purchased a grease gun needle. I greased the pitman bushing and the squeak is gone. I do not know how long this will last but it took 85K for it to start. So if it lasts for 20 -30K that is great. I don't need a new pitman so the grease was a good fix. You should check if there is any play before you proceed. It was an easy $3 fix, For now!

 

it's definatly the pitman arm, like UCRED said, just get a needle and push some grease in there when it squeeks.

 

Thank you to all that replied! I'll try that grease needle. One last question. Why in the world would Ford do such a stupid thing(in my opinion) I mean manufacture that pitman arm assembly without the normal means to grease it? Is there some logical explanation that a layman such as myself wouldn't understand right off?

 

Permanently lubricated joints have been appearing everywhere for some years now. Most ball joints these days are perm. lub. Even on the old style F's, they went to perm. lub. ball joints. This particular joint in the Pitman Arm seems to have lube problems. A joint redesign will probably fix that. But in the not too distant future, there will be no need for a grease gun. Many people don't know or don't care about maintenance. Run them till they quit or break, then complain about what a lousy deal they got. And leases didn't help that attitude, either. So a "permanent" anything helps (if it does indeed act permanent!).
Speaking for myself, I would rather have greasable joints, as I will keep after them, and I will know for sure that they are lubed.

 

Ok...I got that needle for my grease gun, and last night while under the truck looking at these "Permanently lubricated joints" I didn't see anyplace where I could lift up the boot to stick the needle in. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough? I tried pulling out the lip on the boot to see where I could insert the needle, but they're definitely secured all the way around. Which makes sense to me. I don't suppose I should punch through the boot to get that needle in, hence allowing dirt, water etc into the joint thus compromising the integrity of the joint. So what's the deal?

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97 F150 XLT 4.6L 2WD

 

jefferydm,
I just pushed the needle through the rubber boot. The hole is small enough in my opinion. It practically self seals when you remove the needle. I also allowed a little left on the boot to keep the dirt and grime away from the hole. I don't know of any other way.

 

I found the same situation as you did. So I poked it around the back, maybe in the middle of the boot, and loaded it with grease. Nothing to lose, a dry joint won't last forever, so at least its greased again. I figure I will have to replace it someday. Or, it may last forever, by using the same hole, I don't know. The black M1C75 grease is pretty water resistant. Even if you used the amber colored grease, it will still last a long time. That joint is a simple joint, its not like having a tear in a CV joint boot.
Time for a vaccination, Mr. Pitman!

 

Ok...cool. That's kind of what I figured I'd have to do. I'll give it a whirl tonight. Thanks everyone!

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97 F-150 XLT 4.6L 2WD Auto

 

Granpa,
Did you try this with the tie rod ends or any thing else? I just did the pitman but I was tempted to do the rest. I just didn't want to start a snowball. I drive all highway miles so it is not like my truck takes a beating. Maybe I should leave well enough alone. What do you think???

 

I only did it on the Pitman arm joint, with the idea that someday I would replace it. But it worked so well, that the someday keeps getting pushed off!
I don't think I will try it on the other joints. Tie Rod ends are real easy to replace, without affecting alignment, if you do it right by matching center to center length.
The Pitman Arm is a pain due to the need for a good puller to get the arm off of the steering box output splines.
I hope the upper and lower balljoints are more "permanent" than the Pitman arm has been!