I'm not too worried about this since I have an '08 with 10k on it and its under warranty. But I figured I'd ask around here anyway..

I've noticed since it's gotten colder, when I turn the steering wheel it makes a faint moaning noise (not cranking the wheel all the way, just normal turning) and you can feel an extremely slight bit of resistance. Well, more like something internal is rubbing. Power steering fluid seems to be at the right level. I bought this truck new in May and it only started doing this a few days ago. Nothing has changed, only the temperature outside.

Anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? I have an appointment at my Ford dealer on Tuesday and everything will be fixed free of change. But I figured I'd ask, as maybe it's something easy I can fix on my own.

Thanks for your time.

 

Depending on how loud it is, will yield if there is a problem or not.

The steering pump on the 4.2l is moany from the get-go. Both my '99 and my '07 made the same moaning noise when you turn the wheel.

Anyhow, not to veer off topic... how do you like the truck? Hows the clutch holding up?

I really like my truck, it's done a lot for me, and it keeps on pulling more... sometimes I like to say that it's the only thing that does any work around my place.

 

I just got back from the dealership and they found absolutely nothing wrong with it. They lubed the bump stops and said everything was fine.

I love the truck and the clutch is holding up perfectly fine. I've only driven manual my whole life so I'm good about not riding the clutch.

 

I didn't think they'd find anything wrong.

In retrospect to the clutch, I remember when I had mine stock geared for the rear end at 3:55s, I swapped them out for 4.10s, and man, it made a world of improvment on the clutch wear.

With the 3:55s, I always felt like the truck was starting in 2nd in 1st gear. I like how I can just pretty much let go of the clutch and the truck just creeps nice and slow. It really helps backing trailers up too. I towed once with the stock gears, and I swear it was nearly impossible to back anything up without riding the clutch while backing up, or else I'd let it off a little too much, and she'd stall.

I kind of want to go up a notch and drop in 4.88s, but I think that would be just overkill.

 

I've heard that there was a TSB on steering problems.

 

Yeah, the dealer checked out the front end and said everything looked good and was tight. They said to bring it back if it does it again. It only happened when it was colder. It's been in the mid 60's this week so it's not doing it.

 

i have the 3:55s now and I completely know what you're saying. You definitely have to ride the clutch a little to get it going. I just don't really ever see myself getting the cash or motivation to switch the gears. Al though, you say it made a huge improvement on clutch wear.. what about torque and everything else?

 

I towed my little trailer full at 3,500 lbs using the 3.55s... and it was wasn't bad going forward... but reverse... forget it... you needed to ride the clutch a ton, and if the clutch caught somehow, you'd end up stalling.

The 4.10s are like perfect. They provide excellent crawl for the truck. Crawl is when the truck is in gear, and you are at idle, and the truck is just propelling itself. My idle crawl speed used to be like 5 mph, now it's like 2.5 mph. Reverse is about the same, which allows me to keep it right in gear while backing up a trailer. It seriously works like an automatic. Not to mention, it's way better starting from 1st, then 3rd, then jumping right to 5th. Or you can do the 2nd then 5th thing like I do sometimes in the city.

The 4.10s give it to you. As far as towing, I've towed so far up to 4000# with it, and it's like nothing is back there. It's great! It also helps the city fuel mileage as well too... highway mileage is about the same. But I tend to keep the foot out of my floorboard.

If I were you, I'd save about $600 and have it done!! I swear you won't regret it.

 

Thanks for all the tips. The only thing is, I actually do not tow anything with this truck. I'm a musician and sometimes fill the bed with drum gear (weighs 300lbs tops) but other than that it's just my daily driver.

Do you still think I'd really benefit from 4:10s?

I was thinking my best choice for spending cash would be some good winter tires since I live in the northeast.

 

The cost of 4.10's is not worth it for you. I've towed 3000# with another 1000# in the bed, and I had no clutch issues.

 

I also went from OEM 3.55 to 4.10. Huge difference.

 

Well, probably not really too much. But... if you really wanted to get fancy, you could get a LS put in, if you already don't have it. That's a serious plus for the winter... if youd don't have limited slip, your truck is essentially 1 wheel drive. Having a LS is great for the winter because you will get both wheels to get traction. While you are at it, get the 4.10s, plus the LS, and you will have a dream truck.

Not to mention you could light up the tires by doing brake stands without wrecking the clutch.