grinding when I steer

[joshthemule]

So, when I steer my truck, there is a course grinding sound. I greased my spring caps, lower king pin, pitman arm ball joint and the tie rod ends. Still there are getting worse. Just started a few days ago. Seems like its comeing from the left wheel but I don't have a helper to steer while I listen. I figure its the lower kingpin bearing or the tie rod ball joint. I just installed crossover steering so the draglink, upper kingpin spring and bushing are all just a few months old.

Any suggestions?

 

[odin]

Axle joints maybe?

 

[joshthemule]

Axle joints maybe?

I guess that could be it. One thing to note, it does it sitting still and driving. Its in 2WD so maybe I should try rotating the front drive shaft by hand to see if that changes anything.

 

[joshthemule]

I got under there today and I actually think its coming from a body mount. I was watching the frame and body flex as my dad cranked the steering wheel back and forth. That's the only thing I can't pinpoint is that its coming from the frame area.

 

[Joe Henderson]

Have you tried putting the front end up on jack stands to take the weight off the king pins to see if that changes anything. If its a lower king pin bearing chances are the noise will either go away or get less noticable.

 

[tRustyK5]

Sounds like a cracked frame behind the steering box...

Rene

 

[joshthemule]

Sounds like a cracked frame behind the steering box...

Rene

Okay, I'll look there. I've got a steering box brace so hopefully that's not the case. I guess we'll see.

 

[tRustyK5]

Could just be the bolts holding the box on are loose...that's happened to me a few times.

Rene

 

[joshthemule]

Found it! Its the leaf springs moving laterally in the pack. It does it when the frame flexes during fast steering but not when the suspension flexes up and down for some reason. I just need to pull the spring pack apart and clean it up and replace the pads.

 

[Mudstud]

See if your spring perch on the driverside is collapsing- being crushed down. I just rebuilt mine a few months ago because my springs were fanning out after a ride or two. I would post pics but shutterfly is going thru some changes now and it appears as though they have stopped allowing posting from their site. Assh0les!

Even with this, I'm still suspect of maybe a cracked frame behind the gear box.

 

[joshthemule]

I took a look there and didn't see any cracking. The springs aren't fanning out at all. I would say the leaf is only moving 1/4" over all. It just jumps and pops along the way and makes a creaking noise.

 

[Mudstud]

Gotcha, take apart and regrease then.

 

[TDAWG1]

Thanx for this post I too have been having the same problem since putting my crossover in. Except I have a loud popping noise in there too sometimes and big Clunk, I think as u suggested a Body Mount could b the culprit. My axles are shifting side to side driving me nuts.

 

[joshthemule]

Gotcha, take apart and regrease then.

Actually, the guy that built the springs said not to grease them or put any kind of lube on them. The little pads are all it needs. He said to clean it out and leave it alone. The culprit is all the PS and brake fluid that has spilt on the springs over that last few months.

 

[TDAWG1]

Hmmmmm Interesting!