Squeaky Steering - THANK YOU PHIL!!!

[TXSUT]

I finally dropped the skidplate last night to see if I could find the squeak. And yes, it still squeaked with the skidplate removed, and I was able to find the offending part. I'm not sure what that particular steering joint that is squeaking is called, but it doesn't have a grease zerk on it. Dousing it with WD40 took most of the squeak away, but I'm sure it'll be right back to being very noisy after my next trip through the mud.

[VTSTOMPER]

WD-40 will not last too long, as you know. Is there anyway you can get a heavy oil or grease in there? Was there any rubber bushings that looked popped or cracked?

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXSUT:
I'm not sure what that particular steering joint that is squeaking is called, but it doesn't have a grease zerk on it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You sure about that? There's at least one zerk that's nearly impossible to see unless you look through the right front tow loop hole in the bumper. It's to the right of the loop and 6 or so inches aft. With the Fabtech kit on you should have 11 zerks in front.

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
You sure about that? There's at least one zerk that's nearly impossible to see unless you look through the right front tow loop hole in the bumper. It's to the right of the loop and 6 or so inches aft. With the Fabtech kit on you should have 11 zerks in front. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am 95% sure that I found the source of the squeak (the WD40 quietened it), and 100% sure that there is no zerk at that one point. However, I did leave the skidplate off just in case someone came along today offering useful advice. LOL...thanks Rod! I'll be going back under it tonight and look for those 11 zerks. I ran out of grease after about the 8th one. But I am still 100% certain that what I think is the culprit has no zerk.

VT, what you have suggested has me thinking a trip to the dealer is in order.

Thanks guys!

[rodster]

You won't be able to get to all the zerks without a special adapter for your grease gun or changing one zerk to an L-fitting. Special adapter is the route I took and it sure made life easier with many of the zerks. Check this out for pics and info: http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/t...1/m/6621073341

Good luck!

[VTSTOMPER]

Good luck buddy!

I know you're in good hands with rodster! Sounds like he must live under that SUT of his!

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VTSTOMPER:
Sounds like he must live under that SUT of his! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, I've just greased my truck one more time than TXSUT.

[TXSUT]

Rod,

Instead of being 100% sure there was no zerk for that pivot point that is squeaking, maybe I was 100% WRONG! The one zerk you mentioned on the right side, through the tow hook hole, would that take care of the pivot that is roughly 4 inches below the zerk itself?

I'd completely missed that zerk even though I molested the hell out of that area trying to feel for one. Still, it seems a long way from the pivot below it, but I can't figure out what else that zerk would be for.

<bowing to your expertise>

And yes, I need to either replace that zerk with a 90 degree elbow zerk, or get the special fitting kit for my grease gun. I ran out mid-stream last night and got a pivoting fitting for my gun, but it was still too long to fit.

-Pete

[rodster]

Unfortunately, I changed the oil yesterday and finally put the skid plate back on BUT, if memory serves me, isn't there another zerk below the one you're asking about? About 4 inches below?

Again, if you count 11, you've found them all. Lube 'em all and see what happens, yes?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">And yes, I need to either replace that zerk with a 90 degree elbow zerk, or get the special fitting kit for my grease gun. I ran out mid-stream last night and got a pivoting fitting for my gun, but it was still too long to fit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've seen 90 degree grease gun adapters but most won't work since they require a straight-on attachment to the zerk like the normal gun fitting. The adapter in the kit that I got slides on from the side and sure makes easy work out of a few of the fittings. You'll need a flex hose for your gun, too. One comes with the kit and Harbor Freight also has a longer one that sells for <$5. It's a big help, too.

[TXSUT]

If I go back out there tonight and find another one where you say it might be, I'm going to shoot myself in the head. I'll do my best to find all 11.

I have been to every auto parts store and hardware store in my area and have yet to find a decent kit for the grease gun. I'll go to Harbor Freight and/or Northern Tool tomorrow.

As always, thanks for all of your help, Rod!

[rodster]

The more I think about it, the more I'm doubting you'll find another zerk immediately below the hard-to-reach one. I wonder if greasing that one will solve your squeak? Look forward to hearing your outcome.

[TXSUT]

A list of places around my 'hood that DON'T have the phucking grease gun fitting kit that Rod posted about:

AutoZone
PepBoys
O'Reilly Auto
Lowes
Home Depot
Sears Hardware
Harbor Freight
Northern Tool

Can you imagine how pissed off I am after going to each of these stores and coming up with NOTHING!!!

I'm going to take the truck in to my mechanic tonight and just have him grease it while I have the skidplate still off.

In the meantime, I ordered the fitting kit from Harbor Freight online, and with no option for express delivery, it won't get here for 10 days.

[TXSUT]

In a nutshell, one of my pitman arms was missing its zerk (thank you dumba$$es at 4 Wheel Parts in Houston). A quick phone call to Phil to confirm where the zerk is supposed to be located so I wouldn't spend too much more time looking for the hole, and I was back in business with no squeak in less than 5 minutes.

I'd also called Fabtech and got the "That front-end kit is not made to be used without our lift" bull$hit.

THANKS PHIL!!! It was a pleasure speaking with you.

Thanks also to everyone else for trying to help me fix the problem, especially Rod.

-Pete

[VTSTOMPER]

I have to echo Pete...Rodster and Phil have really been great in any of the questions I have come up with!

Very good to hear you got it all fixed up Pete! Congrats!

[TXSUT]

Thanks J! When I told my wife about the outcome last night, she said "Good grief, I bet you have 10 full hours invested in that 5-minute fix!" To which I replied, "Shut up bitch and fix me a sammich!" Yeah, right.

[VTSTOMPER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXSUT:"Shut up bitch and fix me a sammich!" Yeah, right. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


ROTFLMFAO! Welcome to the couch if your lucky!!

[rodster]

Glad you got that fixed, Pete!

Now you got me concerned about my zerk count. How many with the one you added?

[TXSUT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Glad you got that fixed, Pete!

Now you got me concerned about my zerk count. How many with the one you added? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

To be honest Rod, I think 11 is the right number, but I'd have to do a recount. This one is on the backside of the pitman arm, and can be accessed without removing the skidplate. I'm sure you got them all, as thorough as you are.