Steering Shaft Creeking
 

wasn't sure where to post this but when i turn the wheel to the right it sounds like someone opened a big door in a horror movie lol you know *CREEEEEEKKKK*. its something thats annoying me, steering is perfect.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Probably the rack bushings.Replace with poly.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I had the same problem with mine, just tighten the rack bolts and it will be fine or if you want you can replace the bushings. I tightened mine over a year ago and it's still fine.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

There is a TSB on the steering creak. I just had it done on mine about two weeks ago.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

The creak went away a few weeks ago when I removed and put my driveshaft back in. Just needed some happy love.


...or so I thought...


The creak has returned : /

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

My steering rack pops a bit when I turn the wheels at low speeds. I'm going to install a set of Maximum Motorsports aluminum rack bushings in the next day or two. I expect that the pop will be gone or at least reduced, and I will get more precise steering as an added benefit.

I installed the aluminum rack bushings, big improvement in steering feel and no noise.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

My Freestyle was doing that, turns out i was low on fluid, doh!

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Here is a write-up I did:

Some mustangs of various years have a creaking/squeak when you turn the steering wheel. This is very prevalent on the 03-04 Cobras.

There is a TSB that identifies and fixes this problem: # TSB 05-14-3

This TSB supposedly covers 2002-2004 Mustangs, but there was a previous one that covered 2000-2001 models with a same procedure and applies to all the models through these years and might also be a fix on all 96-04's.

If your car is out of warranty, you can pick these sleeves up from FORD at a price of $4.25 each. (you need 2 of them). I did this job last night on my GF's 04 Cobra (still under warranty) mainly since we did not want to hassle with some of Ford's incompetent techs and the long amount of time they had quoted us it would take by leaving her car with them all day...risks etc.

It's ALOT easier and much quicker if you have a drive-on ramp.
$20-25 at most autozone/pep-boys/kragen etc...or make your own.

Parts/tools:


E5DZ-3K620-A (Sleeves that you will be replacing the original ones with)
PROTHANE Part # 6-703 or any rack and pinion bushings made of urethane (Hard rubber)
18mm Deep socket
15mm Deep socket
Pliers
Flat head screw driver
Penetrating oil/WD-40/Liquid wrench/Silicone spray etc..


NOTE: If you're considering aluminum rack bushings, it will move your rack 1/4" to the back and this will affect your toe setting of alignment. Be aware that you will need to get the car realigned if you do upgrade to the aliminum bushings. There are additional modifications needed that can be found here: http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/rack.htm

OPTIONAL but highly recommended FIX: As an additional step to the fix mentioned below. Grind about 1mm off the front of the new metal sleeves. The creaking noise is caused by the sleeves rubbing against the large metal washer at the front. Creating a space to avoid contact will resolve the issue. Having stiffer bushings also helps fix the problem, but as the front nut is tightened, the front washer is bound to make contact with the sleeve and cause this noise again. I highly recommend grinding out about 1mm off the front of the sleeves to avoid future contact with the washer.

Now onto the fix:

Drive stang onto ramp. Set parking brake. Also have a jackstand placed underneath somewhere strategic for additional safety.


1. Spray the long bolt and nut that is screwed onto it with some penetrating oil.
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6910/spraybolts02.jpg

2. Unscrew the long bolt and remove it as shown. Rear (head of bolt) is a 15mm, front one is 18mm. Here is the nut, bolt and washer removed.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3875/boltscrew03.jpg

3. Remove the steering rack bushing. (Flathead screw driver)

4. Use pliers to pry the **** thing out
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/169...esleeves05.jpg

5. Comparo..OLD sleeve versus NEW sleeve
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9183/sleevesoldnew06.jpg

************************************************** ********
IMPORTANT:
If you're replacing the bushings with new ones, you HAVE TO unbolt the steering wheel shaft where it bolts up to the rack and pinion.
It is a small 12mm or 13mm bolt that you have to remove first in order for the rack and pinion to move forward far enough to remove the bushings from the rear of the rack.
I suggest using some lock-tite (thread locker) on the screw's threads when you put that linkage back and bolt it up.
************************************************** ********

6. Slide the new sleeve in
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8315/sleeve07.jpg

7. All the way in

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

8. Install Steering rack bushing..I put new stock ones in and they still made some noise, I then had to re-do the job with PROTHANE (Urethane) bushings and it solved all issues. $15-20 for a set. Prothane part # 6-703 are recommended very highly
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8092/bushing08.jpg

9. Slide bolt back into the sleeve from the rear as shown
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8725/longscrew09.jpg

10. Install the big washer and nut to complete the process..

11. Bolted up and done...
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/245/boltedup10.jpg

Onto the next one..

(I took both sleeves out at the same time and used the jack stand placed under the steering rack to give it some extra support and to angle the rack properly in the extrication of the sleeves)

Should take about an hour or less depending on lighting and what tools you have available. Power tools will turn this job into a 25-35 min job from start to finish.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Edit

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Only 3 posts... and now you are my new hero!

The creak went away when I did my header install and took all this stuff off and reassembled it... I just noticed it's evil return a couple days ago. I'll be heading down to the dealer when I get a chance to see if they have these in stock.

Thanks for the write-up!!

This should be a sticky...

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I agree. ;) and so it is done!

This is the first I have heard of replacing the sleeves, though. I know many people replace the bushings to solve this problem.

To 006: Do you have a close-up of the old sleeve or of both old & new? I'm curious what kind of wear you had on the old sleeve. It is hard to tell in the picture. Nice write-up, thanks!

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

many thanks for the write up man :ORANGE:

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

The old ones are not anywhere close right now, but my comparo showed that the old ones were rotating (they shouldn't) and the diameter on the new ones is very slightly larger, plus the end tabs on the sleeves that push against the k-member and front washer are more stout.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Good to know about the upgraded part, thanks!

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

006 - you have passed the secret initiation. You can stay. Very nice write up from a new guy here. Thanks.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I did the same last week and I'm very pleased with the results!

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Pop noise is gone, but I had to keep on modding, so I just added an MM solid steering shaft. Nice, instant steering response and I can feel everything the front wheels are doing now.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Thanks 006! I agree, you should stay. I just popped into this forum because my Mach started creeking/thunking this afternoon. Was going to do a search but didn't need too! Thanks for the great pics and info.:THUMBSUP:

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

Do you need wheel alignment after that?

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I've had the popping noise for a year now. I thought about the aluminum bushings. If I did that would I need the new sleeves? With new sleeves would it be wise to go with a poly bushing? Thanks for this write up.
Any particular torque setting or just tight?

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

You will not need new sleeves to install the Maximum Motorsports aluminum rack bushings, in fact, you will need to cut the old sleeves off to install the new aluminum bushings. I don't remember the torque specification, but it is in the directions included with the bushings.

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I have the same exact noise and I have MM Al bushings :what: Anyone else get it with them...

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I just did this sleeve swap with the upgraded parts specified above. Noise seems to be gone now. Just as an FYI I did mine one side at a time and reused the rubber bushings. The bushings come out real easy if you spray some silicone lube on them and I didn't see any need to replace them (unless of course you want to upgrade!). The only halfway hard part to this job was pulling the old sleeves out, just a little grunt work. Also I couldn't really see any difference in my old ones and the new ones. I got the right part number but they looked identical to my eye at least.

Big thanks to 006 for writing this one up and posting the pics!

Re: Steering Shaft Creeking
 

I have a click from my front end when taking turns at low speeds. Wonder if this will fix my problem??