Creaking Steering

[Curran]

My truck has started making a creaking sound when steering. It's very noticeable when stopped – a bit more difficult to hear when moving. If I climb under the truck and listen while someone else turns the steering wheel it sounds like it is coming from the general vicinity if the steering damper but I haven’t been able to pinpoint it to any particular part.

I should add that the truck spent last weekend wallowing in mud and that may be a contributing cause.

Thanks,

97 w/ 105,000 mi

 

[IdahoDoug]

Use a piece of wooden dowel against the component and against your ear to diagnose which is making the noise. Or a stethescope. With mud, anything's possible.

DougM

 

[Tooth Fairy]

Last time I had a squeak it turned out to be loose shock bushings. I tightened them up and it quit.