i have a 2004 2 wheel drive with 41 thousand miles on the clock and i'm hearing a werd rubbing/grinding noise when making a right turn. it sounds like it's comming from the left side.i had the front end alined about 3 weeks ago so i'm wondering if it's related to that or if the front wheel berrings need taken out and repacked with grease . i'm not sure if they were ever repacked or not? what is the service/maintance issues i should look at at almost 50 thousand miles. thanks for all replies

 

bump. anyone have any ideas?

 

I wish I could help but I have the same issue. Every time i turn right I get a squeak/moan sounding like it is coming from the left front wheel area. Some of the things that I have tried are, 1) replacing both inner/outer tie rods. 2) replacing upper A-arm ( Ive tried greasing it and tightening it down, loosening in, not greasing it) 3) Ive tried greasing the steering column U-joints. I just don't know. Maybe I bought a bad new part... I'm wondering if it could be related to the shocks?

Anyways I know this is not much of a help but if you find out anything I would love to know.

2002 Ranger 92K..

 

are you applying the brakes when turning? how much do you have to turn the wheel to make the noise?

 

if it is your shocks you should be able to replicate it by pushing down on the front end a few times, i would think.

 

I dont know about william, but I know I can duplicate it either by driving slow and turning right, or just sitting in my garage at idle and turn the wheel right. If the wheels are straight, as soon as I turn the steering wheel it starts. But to answer your question it will do it whether the brakes are applied or not.

 

I would think that would rule out a wheel bearing if you can make the noise sitting still.. im thinking steering rack. have you inspected the boots on the steering rack for any fluid leaks.

 

i notice mine more at highway speed. it's frustrating because i don't seem to hear or feel it when turning the wheel to the left. but when i was going up to the girlfriend's on thursday night there was a hill that had sharp "s " turns going down and i could feel a vibration in the steering wheel going down over this 3 mile hill full of turns only on turning the wheel to the right?

 

i'm wondering this also but wouldn't it make said noise/grinding on both right and left turns? the steering rod in the rack would be moving either direction?

 

Sounds like its gotta be somthing with the steering box or rack. I don't see any leaks and the fluid is full and clean, but it does feel like its between the steering wheel and rack. Odd that its only when I turn right

 

llpeterson- what year is your truck? mine's a '04 with 41,370 miles and is hardly driven? and i seem to have the same problem you do. if i don't figure this out i'm going to have to make an apointment at the stealership and let them figure it out because my girlfriend drives this truck and i'd turn it into a lawn orderment before i'd let her drive it like it is now.

 

if its the steering rack your going to pay out the ying yang i had mine done under warranty and it totaled up to $575 ... Stealership price of $600 - $225 core = $375.52 total plus two hours labor @ $100 an hour. mine never made a noise but did feel somewhat loose.

 

Very lame...mine is an 02 just hit 92k. Ill be messing with it the rest of the weekend, been toying with it since 9 this morning, its time to call it quits for tonight. Id hate for you to have to take yours in, but I might have to do the same thing. If you get it solved try to leave a message. Its flat embarrassing to have a noise like this if you love your vehicle you know?

 

yea it's pretty lame ..oh well i guess it's time to look at that f 150 supercrew that the girlfriend eyed up friday night..or i'll be doing this.

 

found this over on ranger power soprts snooping around if this helps the other posters in this thred ? hopefully i can figure this out soon or it's steelership for a fix or trade.
...........here's the quote on rps.........................................
"Weird noise? could be lots of things. I'll take a wild guess and say wheel bearings are gone. they make a strange growling noise.

go into a parking lot--turn left if it gets louder your passenger side bearing is gone.

turn right, if it gets louder your drivers side bearing is gone."

 

i wanna say balljoints

 

Nah ball joints make a audible clunking noise. Its sounds like wheel bearings to me guys. Check them and if they are bad replace them.

 

Re: just out of curiosity I would understand if it were wheel bearing while I was driving and turning, but the left one makes a noise also when I am in park and turning the wheel right. I tried lifting it and grabing the wheel tto feel for slack and it seemed pretty secure. Or why do you think I don't get and whirling sound or chirp while driving straight. Just some thoughts. Thanks

 

that's why i'm at a loss here mine's doing the exact same thing -noises while turning right but not driving straight? i'm getting pretty pissed at this guessing **** would dry bearings cause this?

 

well went to the dealership today. they showed me that the berring retainer nut had backed off 1/8 of a turn ? they tightened it up and the noise went away. so i told them to just do the wheelbearing service and the oil change while they had it on the rack. grand total of $172.60 so it's now back to normal.

i also got to testdrive a 2009 harley supercrew. all i can say is wow..and it's only $348.something a month..if the bank calls this week i'm in the f150 club