Found the source of the noise, no idea how to fix it.

Took this morning to spend some time locating a nasty “creek”

The creek happens when it’s cooler, if I lift up on my steering wheel I can hear a slow “creek” it doesn’t matter which position the steering wheel is in and it isn’t the steering wheel itself. It is a bracket up behind the steering wheel that is mounted to the fire wall. The bolt feels tight but it creeks as if it is metal on metal. If it weee metal on metal why would it go away when it gets warmer? I’m perplexed - getting to it looks almost near impossible I don’t even know if I could take a picture. It’s pretty bad tbh, the sound.

is their a diagram of some sort for me to be able to place direct location and how to remedy it? The bracket I think must also have an exterior location but I’m not sure if it’s accessible.

edit also the sound happens when going over bumps as well, not just when I lift up on the steering wheel.
Ty

 

It probably goes away when warmer as the metal components expand and tightens things up. When colder, the opposite happens and your noise returns. At least that's my theory. Can you tighten anything up down there?

 

awe yes! Good point - well there is a nut down there on the bracket, but getting to it man.. I don’t even know it would take allot.. I’ll look into it tomorrow. Would love a diagram of some sort to be able to show which bracket it is

 

Could it be the steering U-Joint making noise?

 

nope the noise transfers up into the dashboard area.. near that bracket. Steering is flawless no sounds no nothing but if I put pressure on the steering wheel you can then begin to hear the slow creek. Like a metal to metal or tinny creek

 

I looked it up. It’s in the instrument panel crossmember and it’s a metal brace that is attached the firewall right over the steering wheel.

 

If I removed the tweet/vent cover up by the dashboard does anyone know how much access I can gain to the top of the dashboard? Might be able to get to it from there if I remove the tweet speakers.

 

I’ll upload the sound later when I’m in better service.

 

https://streamable.com/dt398n

Here it is! this is when I push up on the steering wheel. Sounds like a rubber bushing

 

Would WD40 help?

 

im thinking it’s higher up than I thought so I think my only option is to start taking stuff apart on the interior and really get a good look at what is rubbing. I hope so that or maybe a rubber washer and some lithium grease or something not sure

 

If you removed the gauges would that give you access to the suspected area? If so, that is very easy to do. There are lots of threads detailing the removal of the gauges. Particularly for the installation of the speedometer calibrators.

 

im thinking maybe that would be the best thing to do! Is there enough slack in the wire to pull it out and set it aside enough to get my hand in there and feel around?

 

Also are there any air bags in there?

 

Once you get the two trim pieces removed, unplug the two connectors from the back of the gauge cluster and set the unit aside. There is a wire retaining clip on the back that is the only thing that is hard to remove. Once you get the cluster removed there is enough room to stick you head in there!!

 

I will absolutely be doing this this week! I’m confident I can fix this thing If I remove the wires will it mess anything up?

 

NO. The steering wheel airbag and the knee bag are the only ones in front of the driver. Side airbags aside.

 

You are just disconnecting two electrical connectors.

Many people will say to disconnect the battery before fooling around with anything electronic on these vehicles. I have not.

 

Thank you. Will report back after doing so.

 

That sounds like the same noise I had.
Remove the shroud under the wipers. You'll find a bolt behind a plastic grommet. Mine was loose. I put some blue locktite on it and tightened it up. No more noise!