Loud SQWEEK during turning.

[Stoutscout]

Sounds like a big cricket under my dash when I turn. My truck only has 15,000 mi. on it. I have a friend who had a similar problem, but he drives a Durango. I also noticed that driving in a straight line now takes a lot more attention/input to the steering wheel. Related? Please don't tell me this is one of those expensive replacement/upgrade things. I'm already 2 months behind to DC Financial and just started a new job. Enough of the sob story... All input is greatly appreciated.



PS: anybody wanna' buy a sound system?

 

[Floor It]

I had the same sound in mine and it turned into a rough bearing type of sound. They replaced the whole steering column and that took care of it.

 

[Alan Reagan]

For the squeak, try lubing the steering shaft universal joints just outside the firewall. WD-40 will usually take care of it.



The squeak and the steering wander are not related. Usually wander/oversteer is caused by the steering box preload being too loose (assuming you don't have an allignment problem). Go to the following link for the preload adjustment:



http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1997/19-10-97/19_10_97.htm



The adjustment takes about 15-20 minutes. Don't mess with the Over center adjustment unless the steering wheel is not returning to center after turning left or right.

 

[jelvington]

I had the same noise in a Dodge Stratus that I used to own. They replaced the rack & pinion to solve the problem. It took a few visits to get it fixed because I kept getting the same response out of 3 different dealers that they "didn't hear it" or they "could not duplicate". Its amazing when the service guy says this but everyone else who got in the car asked where the cricket was.

 

[rono]

Stoutscout, My truck is doing the same thing, and has been for some time, there was a thread a while back about a squeak when turning and it was the plactic of the dash rubbing the A-Pillar (I think). I did a search and did not find anything, but may not have been searching for the exact wording. Maybe someone will read this and recall what I'm talking about.

Ron

 

[Sky]

I had that squeek to try lubing the steering shaft at the joint by the fuel filter. This this should work. I now have a "creek" in my steering colum and it drive me crazy. It seem to do it more when I tow empty.