2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Noise from steering column or dash...can't determine origin

[Bob W]

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday. On the way to work last week I heard a noise coming from the steering column, or thought so at first, then it seemed to come from the dashboard near the column. It happens after the truck is warmed up, and is a little worse over bumps. It sounds similar to a relay clicking on and off. All the steering wheel mounted controls work: cruise, radio, wash/wiper, hi/lo beams, directional.

Anyone have any clues or similar problems? Thanks.

 

[Diesel Freak]

Sounds lile the infamous stearing shaft "Jiggly Squeak". Spray down the stearing shaft "U"joints and slip joint with silicone lube while someone is turning the stearing wheel..... that should fix it.

 

[Bob W]

Thanks Diesel, I'll give it a try tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[fmj]

didn't work

Well I thought you guys had finally solved my squeak problem. I've been going nuts for the past two months. Today I got the wife to turn the steering while I sprayed everything on the shaft, joints and the like. Guess what it didn't work. So far I have sprayed all the rubber grommets in the firewall, pushed and pulled all the cables, looked for anything that rubs or comes close to rubs, sprayed anything under the dash that looks like it could make a squeak sound, tightened bolts, replaced the fender well push locks, etc. Bob, I hope you had better luck. I'm going out tomorrow and try again to locate the noise. If anyone has any more suggestions please let me know.

 

[Happy Camper]

Did you spray from the fire wall down?

I put up with the same thing for too long. Spraying every 200 miles and it would come back until the last time which must of done the trick. I used silicone spray and turned the wheel my self and sprayed each time.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

MAJOR sqeak here too!

fmj, I have the same irritating & obnoxious sqeak in my dash. Also as I am driving I hear a "snap!" in the dash and can feel it thru the steering wheel (this is NOT caused by the steering linkage, I am 100% sure of that).



There is a TSB on this but it is worded very vaguely. It is in the latest TDR magazine. Basically it orginates from the dash assembly rubbing on the A-pillar or where it mounts to the firewall or something and it rubs when the chassis flexes. The solution, from what I can gather from the poorly written TSB, is to loosen the dash bolts. That sounds like a poor fix if you ask me!



My sqeak started 3-4 months ago and has gotten far worse recently Anyone with suggestions please put in your $. 02 worth.



Vaughn

 

[Gizmo 007]

Mine did that for about a month before my clockspring gave up. When they started to replace the clockspring, all of the steering shaft supports were broken (some kind of little plastic tabs). They replaced my steering column at the time, an I haven't heard it again since, but how did that make a squeaking noise At least it fixed it.

 

[CCahill]

My truck also developed the upper dash/A-pillar squeak/rattle... It's goin' to the dealer for that, dragging brakes, still pulling to the left, and whatever else I can find ... as soon as I pull off my goodies... maybe Monday!!



Colin

 

[fmj]

Vaughn, I had just pulled the A-pillar off today to see if there was anything that would cause the noise. I moved some of the wires. Not sure it was doing anything. I also pushed some of the wireharness on the driver side up under the dash. The noise went away for a while and then came back. The large harness that exits on the driver side could have relieved the pressure on the A-pillar?? Or it could be the harness itself rubbing against the left panel. I'm going to try it again this weekend. I have to go to my place at the desert and work on my wife hotrod. While I'm there I'll look at this closer and let you guys know what I do and if there is any success. I'll also pull the A-pillar off again and see if the metal clips are engaging completely. I don't think the A-pillar rubs or contacts the dash, as there is a piece of rubber that I noticed seperates them. Anyway, I'll let you know what I find out. I just got the TDR mag today and I'll bring it along. CCahill, I'd have a hard time getting DC to do anything with the A-pillar as I have my gages there. It doesn't look like stock anymore.

 

[CCahill]

fmj,

My understanding of the TSB is that the actual A-pillar, not the cover, is rubbing on the dash itself... somewhere below, and to the left of the defroster vent... I've got guages too, and I hope I don't have to get testy at the dealer... this is a factory issued TSB. . I like to think the guages wouldn't affect what DC is already aware of...



I'm all out of my anti-depressent meds, so it won't be pretty, if I get a little fired up... if you get my drift...



Colin

 

[fmj]

CCahill, thanks as I haven't read the TSB I misunderstood. Let me know how it goes. I'm still going to look at the cable as this seems to affect the noise. Maybe its my imagination or hope. Catch back to thread next Monday when I get back.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

CCahill, I am interested too in how your trip turns out. I have the dash gauge pod with lots of wires running thru the A-pillar area and down past the fuse panel. I would hate to have to take it in. I am well off warranty as well and I doubt they'd do it for free, even if there is a TSB on it.



fmj, I went all over under my dash and zip-tied and secured every loose wire I could find. Made no difference. I pulled off my A-pillar cover as well and wasn't able to figure anything out either.



Vaughn

 

[fmj]

Well guys I spent some time on trying to figure out where the squeak is coming from. Tightened everything again and oiled everything again to no avail. So when I got home I had the wife ride with me and try to focus where it was generating. She unfasened her seat belt and with feet in air, while I drove she climbed under the dash and seems to think its coming from the accelerator pedal area. We seemed to get some stange looks from other drivers although I'm not sure why ? She doen't think its coming from the dash or A-pillar area but from lower. I know sound travels, but I'm going to look at the cable, pedal, etc. around that area. I seem to have something different than CCahill. I'll still let you know what, if anything, I find tomorrow. I hope this is it as I'm going to have a tough time getting her to roll around under the dash after this and the last incident trying to find noise. I suppose I shouldn't have laughed.

 

[fmj]

SUCCESS

I finally stopped the dash squeak. After my wife said that the noise seemed to be coming from the accelerator pedal area, I spent some time under the dash. It wasn't the pedal or cable. The pedal assy is attached to a gray plastic assemyly that supports the dash and other things. I loosened the four 15mm nuts from this assembly and the three 15mm nuts from the black steering seal under the dash. I sprayed oil behind these areas. Its messy. I left the nuts loose and drove it around and the squeak is gone, gone, gone . . The reason that my wife heard the noise in the pedal area is that its attached to the gray plastic assembly and the sound was traveling. You guys ought to try this to see if it solves your problem. Its a ten minute job with a socket. On the gray assemyly, the upper nut closest to the center has a hole in the assembly that allows a socket to get to it. Everything else is easy to reach. I've snugged the nuts down and still no noise, but that might be the oil. If the noise comes back I'll make a rubber gasket to place behind it. Hope this helps. I think that this is what the TSB will do that CCahill was refering to. Let me know if it works for you. Good luck.

 

[zman]

fmj -



I was planning to tackle this VERY annoying squeak this weekend. Mine started squeaking about 9 months ago and is getting worse. It sounds like is coming from the a-pillar/upper dash area - just like yours. It squeaks over bumps, mostly when turning slightly. I'll give your fix a try tonight and report back. I've got my fingers crossed!



Steve

 

[Tomscreek]

Mine developed a squeek while going over bumps and having the steering wheel turned. Read about spraying down the steering shaft with WD40 here on the forums so I tried it and it worked haven't heard a squeek in over a month. Passed it on to a friend who had the same complaint and he said it worked for him too.



I had an annoying noise coming from the rear passenger door area. More of a creaking and popping while driving slowly over rough terrrain. I finally opened the door and rubbed Armoral on the door seal and gave the upper rear door latch a shot of WD40 and it's GONE, not sure which one did the trick.



One more. Had a rattle down by the emergency brake pedal. I couldn't find it so I took it into the dealer and they had to replace the whole asembly, something came loose in there. Anyway it fixed it!!

 

[zman]

Well, this fix didn't work for me. I'll guess I'll just have to keep looking...



Steve

 

[CCahill]

Well,

I took my truck into the dealer on Monday. . For the squeak/rattle, and some other things. The dealer made an appointment with a local body shop. The TSB calls for pulling the drivers fender, and "working" on the A-pillar for more clearance near the dash. As soon as this happens, I'll post back... .



Colin

 

[zman]

Colin,



What's the number of the TSB that you are refering to? Thanks.



Steve

 

[Dave Fritz]

TSB 23-08-99 94-99 Instrument panel creak



Dave