Creaking/Squeaking steering wheel when turning fix

huben94

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More info all over

I just did mine last week, and I ground off about 3/8 off the original rack mounting pins, and used new urethane bushings. Big HUGE improvement.

I compared the new and old pins from Ford and could not see a difference. So I returned for credit.

Also if you get the tires off the ground you don't have to disconnect the rack from the steering wheel.

I did get my alignment done before and it was out after this mod, so save the money and your tires, check you alignment checked afterwards.

I also did the frame sway bar bushings, they were cracked, and the end links

I would forget the MM solid Aluminum ones, who need more noise.
Later
R
 
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Fastphil

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I just installed the Prothane bushings while I was doing my oil change. I had a bit of a hard time with pretty much every step, but I assume that's because my car is not sparkly clean. I ended up not changing the rear bushing on the driver side because I couldn't pull the rack far enough forward, because I gave up trying to remove the sleeve, and because I didn't want to disconnect a ton of other parts.

I also had to thread the nuts onto the bolts a couple times each to get the bushings in all the way, because they don't just slide in and out like the stock rubber ones. In the end, I guess it wasn't all that hard. I was working in the driveway with the car up on jackstands. I haven't driven it yet to see what difference it made, so I'll share that next time.
 

Fastphil

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d-nice

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I think that I may be hearing this noise but I'm not sure. I mostly hear it when I'm backing up and turning the wheel. Is this the noise that you are talking about? I though it may be the wheel bearing.
 

Fastphil

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Mine did it when initially turning the wheel from the straight-ahead position. Kind of a creaking sound for about half a second. Basically it's the steering rack that's moving and taking a set before it starts to make the tires turn.
 

edswhite99

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FYI mine was making the same noises. I replaced the ball joints and rack bushings to no avail. It seems as if the culprits are the lower control arm bushings. That's what I'll be replacing next. Hopefully that will fix my creaking problem.
 

Spoolx

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I think that I may be hearing this noise but I'm not sure. I mostly hear it when I'm backing up and turning the wheel. Is this the noise that you are talking about? I though it may be the wheel bearing.

I have that too, did u fix it?
 

M4_ELITE

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hey guys, i did the MM aluminum rack bushing install a few months ago. and since then ive had a bad vibration, driver side mirror shakes horribly. i plan on getting the wheels balanced as soon as i can, but if it doesn't fix it i guess i'm going to have to replace the MM alum steering rack bushings with poly urethane ones. now i see tousley ford has the sleeves (E5DZ-3K620-A) but i do not have the old big washers handy. does anybody have those handy or know where i could get them, or would any old big washer do? thanks for any help!
 

jm@ReischePerf

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if it doesn't fix it i guess i'm going to have to replace the MM alum steering rack bushings
I wouldn't swap them out because it is highly unusual to get a vibration like that. You either have wheels badly out of balance or a bent wheel, could also be a bad tie rod end or other front end issue. Have everything checked over real well.
 

Fastphil

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I'd also reinstall the correct washers as their absence might be causing your problem. I doubt regular washers would work because they are flat, whereas the stockers are cupped to put pressure on the bushings. You can probably pick them up at a dealership parts counter for cheap.
 

BadBlue98GT

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OP, great write up. I just got done finishing up this on my '03, but it took me a little longer than it should have. Here's a couple suggestions to consider for anyone getting ready to do this:

1. If you remove the steering arm set bolt so that you can replace the rear bushings, don't put your new rack and pinion sleeves in until after you re-insert the set bolt. I put the rack and pinon bushings and sleeves in prior to and I had to pull it all back off to get the steering arm reattached. I needed that maneuverability to get everything lined up correctly.

2. Before trying to remove the sleeves with a pair of pliers, see if there is enough room to get a screwdriver or some other prying type instrument in between the rear end of the sleeve and the control arm and pry it out. I busted the shit out of my knuckles when the passenger side sleeve finally popped out with the use of some pliers so I used a different method to get the driver's side out. :beer:
 

Jazzml

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just finished doing this on my 03. I only did the sleeves and the creaking went away. I agree with the last post and try to pry it out with a screwdriver. The pliers just were not working for me.
 

ilovespeed

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just finished doing this on my 03. I only did the sleeves and the creaking went away. I agree with the last post and try to pry it out with a screwdriver. The pliers just were not working for me.

Wait a couple months. Mine went away when I changed the sleeves, but came back a few weeks back. Its still not as loud and as often as before, but its progressively getting worse. I'm going to grind them down in a couple weeks.
 

SROLD

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Just did this over weekkend and difference is amazing. My 03 had 48k miles and this was done under warranty at about 15 k miles..ford used stock rubber bushings.notes on repair..... Don/t think you really need new crush sleeves...i re-used mine and will return new parts to dealer. You kinda need a vise grips to get sleeves out after the front bushing has been removed...just clean up any marks with grinder and wire brush....i ground off approx 2mm fron the front of the sleeves to keep from hitting the front bushing washer. Do this on jack stands and it is easy to move rack forward without disconnecting from steering wheel shaft so you can get the rear bushing out and place the replacement prothane bushings in. This really is a relatively easy job with great results. No more creaking or popping and front end feels much more tight and secure.
 

B7BlownSnake

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Thanks for the write up! Did this last weekend on my 03 GT, worked perfectly. Ground enough off the new sleeves so they sat nicely inside the Prothane bushings.

This hasn't been a problem on my 03 Cobra, but then I'll be doing the MM aluminum bushings.
 

Venom04

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I had the creaking steering problem and bought and installed MM aluminum bushings. Completely corrected the problem and steering is way tighter and responsive. No harsh vibrations or additional noise. I've had them in for about 5 years. One of the better and cheaper suspension mods you can do. IMHO

FYI... You will need a front end alignment since they change the toe a little.
 

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