New here...I just picked up a used '97 F-150 2wd with 22K miles on it...Love the truck...I recently noticed a creaking sound coming from the driver's side front when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds or when sitting still...It's fairly loud and is definitely not belt squeal...Any ideas?...Ball joints?...Thanks.

 

I had a creaking sound that was emmanating from under the front of my truck when I would turn the wheel L or R at slow speeds. Took it to the dealer, they replaced the idler arm assembly.

-kindest regards

------------------
1999 F150 4x4, wedgewood blue, 5.4l auto, Manick brush guard, Duraliner, KC Hilites, surf rod holders, tinted windows, K&N air filter without airbox, Velocity air intake tube, Midas Performance muffler with dual pipes, toolbox, Uniden CB with whip, and a Superchip.

 

Thanks....When I get underneath and listen, that's exactly where the sound seems to be coming from....Thanks again.

 

I have an 1997 Ford F-150 King Cab 4x4 4.6L with 57000 miles on it. I have had a loud screaching and squeeking when I turn the wheels. I thought it was the Power Steering pump. I took it to the dealer today and they told me that they had to put these special listeners on it to determine where it was coming from. They told me that the Pitman Arm was bad an needed replacement. I paid ~40 for the pitman arm and ~265 in labor. It still makes a noise when the wheel turns but not the loud screaching and squeeking. It just so happened that the guy who sold it to me (I went to high school with him) said that he has seen at least one other 1997 F-150 with the same problem but he did not know what it was. I am interested in hearing from other folks who may have had the problem. I take good care of my truck and I do not use the FWD very often. In other words I do not ragg it out. But it seems to me that the Pitman Arm should not fail after 57000 miles, it should be good for the life of the car. Also I had the front brakes done at 30K and at 57K. They still had good pad. However both times the Rotors could not be turned. I figure that the rotors should be good for at least 2-3 turnings before they would not be able to be turned. Does anyone have any info on this?
Vince

 

Just got my 97 4x2 (93,000 miles) back from the Dealer with a noise on turning the wheel. They lubricated the pitman arm and it is working like new (even seems to turn easier). I did talk to the service advisor about the problem returning--and he said this a common problem and he doesn't see owners return with the same problem after the service-for what thats worth.