Steering making a strange noise?

[MR.BIGHILLBILLY74]

Hey guys I was wondering if any of you know what is going on with the front end of my truck? Whenever I turn to the right or left it is making a groaning noise? If I remember right I saw a bulletin on steering problems with the 2004 trucks. If I take it to the dealer will I have to pay to have it fixed? My truck has 42,000 miles on it and it just started doing it. I will see if I can find the bulletin and I willl post it on here.

[MR.BIGHILLBILLY74]

Here is the message I read. Any suggestions?

04 F-Series/Excursion Power Steering Noise:
Some trucks may exhibit a moan or grunt noise from the power steering when turning the steering wheel, usually more pronounced on left turns. The noise may sound like it's coming from the steering gear or column. Replace the hydraulic pressure line running from the brake hydroboost to the steering gear, and the return line running from the gear to the cooler. Take care to prevent any debris from entering the hydraulic system.
Pressure line: 4C3Z-3A719-C
Return line: 4C3Z-3A713-A
TSB 04-23-08

[topperman]

Mine has just started to make a noise as described or almost like when a power steering pump is low of fluid or like a squeaky suspension like, however mine is not low or leaking. So just by replacing the hoses this should take care of the noise. Maybe someone could explain how replacement of hoses will correct the problem? I checked all my tie rods and ball joints and they are tight and they have grease in them it does sound like it is coming from the gear box. Any info would be great so that I could fix it and if not I'll bring it in.

[mtjeep86]

topperman,

Did you ever find out the cause of your noise and if so how was it corrected?

[topperman]

To answer your ? NO. It has still been cold out and my garage has no heat in it so I have not really tried to pinpoint it. I do not like to take my truck in the shop unless I have too, I is hard to pinpoint the sweeeek when you turn the wheel, more to the left than the right. As Mr.Bighillbilly74 posted the the service bulletin mine does the same as described, but how does just changing the lines correct the sweeeeek noise and why would the lines have anything to do with this metal type sweeeeek noise per Ford Service Bulletin. My dealership wants me to bring it in so they can work on it, but gave me no answers to what it might be and like I said I like to work on my own stuff first and as a last resort bring it in, that way I know the beepbeepbeepbeep is done right. Don't get me wrong my dealership has very good mechanics but it just the way I am, so I'm just trying to get some answers to this problem thinking it must have happen to someone else or something like it, for some reason I just don't believe the lines are the problem, but if it is I can do the work myself. So if any Ford Mechanic on this site has any input I would greatly appreciate it or if anyone has had the same problem and has any input on this post it would be great.

[tbisme]

My '99 7.3 did the same thing; I had a mustang that did it also.... I found in both cases that changing the fluid made it go away. In my '99 truck I changed the fluid in the pump every 20,000mi. with mercron-V I believe... you cant get all of it out with the hydro boost, but with a suction pump (mine looks like a grease gun with a hose on it) you can get most of it that is in the system ...suck it out and fill it up, turn the wheel and repeat until satisfied, It will make it a lot quieter... never put a pump or lines on my '99 traded it with 247,000mi. For my '05 and have had no problems with this one either.... people seem to change every fluid in there truck but the power steering? It is a hydraulic fluid like anything else, and wont last forever... I find that the hydro boost systems wear it out faster than standard power steering.

[Syrop]

Originally Posted by MR.BIGHILLBILLY74

Here is the message I read. Any suggestions?

04 F-Series/Excursion Power Steering Noise:
Some trucks may exhibit a moan or grunt noise from the power steering when turning the steering wheel, usually more pronounced on left turns. The noise may sound like it's coming from the steering gear or column. Replace the hydraulic pressure line running from the brake hydroboost to the steering gear, and the return line running from the gear to the cooler. Take care to prevent any debris from entering the hydraulic system.
Pressure line: 4C3Z-3A719-C
Return line: 4C3Z-3A713-A
TSB 04-23-08

mine makes the same sound but also feels creaky,