creaking noise up front

I'm wondering if anyone might have a clue as to what's going on with my truck. Six weeks ago I started hearing a strange, creaking noise coming from the front. At first, it would only happen when I was reversing and turning the wheel.

Took truck to mechanic and they think it's coming from the steering column, but couldn't find anything wrong. They inspected all bolts, etc. and found everything to be in good shape.

In the past week it's started to happen a lot more frequently. Now it happens both when I'm reversing and going forward, at very low speeds, mostly in parking situations. It's pretty loud, and it bothers the hell out of me not knowing what it is. I have a feeling that it's just something that needs to be lubricated, but I have no idea.

I'm thinking of taking it to a different mechanic to get a 2nd opinion, but wanted to check with the wise minds here.

A few notes: My truck only has 29k miles. A while back I upgraded to 5100s, wheels, and Camburg UCAs. This noise only started several months AFTER upgrading everything, so I don't think it's related to any of the mods.

Thanks, any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

The front as in outside the windshield or inside? I thought it could be just cold weather throwing out the tolerances on your plastic trim and dash, then I saw you live in Arizona. I used to get this on my old Chevy, it was the trim that's right next to the windshield. I had to put a piece of something in between to stop the creaking (ghetto but it worked). Passenger side or driver's side?

 

It's definitely outside, something mechanical. Sounds like it's coming from the steering components, but I can't be sure. It only happens when turning the wheel.

I've mostly heard it driving at very slow speeds, but have recently heard it with the vehicle stopped as well, turning the wheel. It's this loud creaking, super weird. And it doesn't happen every time either, but the frequency has really increased lately.

 

Do you have uniball or ball joint upper control arms? Uniballs are known to make noise if dirty/in need of lube, like the saying goes "race car parts make race car noises"...

Edit: I see you indeed have uniball uppers...I'd bet that's where your issue lies

 

You want a dry Teflon lube, like Tri-Flow



http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheelers-off-road/93516-uni-ball-lube.html

 

Yep, more than likely your uniballs on the burgs. I find that if you just take a water hose and and clean them off real well, it will stop the squealing for a while. I normally spray them off, give them a day or two to dry, then lube them.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I wouldn't have thought they would need cleaning/lubing this soon after getting them, but I'm always learning new things. Will give it a go, hopefully that's what the source of the noise is!

 

Don't use wd40, pb blaster, or other similar products to lube them...you'll ruin them! Use the appropriate lube

 

Ordered some tri-flow dry lube from wheeler's, thanks for the link. I think you guys are right, just wiping the uniballs off today seemed to make an improvement with the noise. As always, I can count on good advice from TW!

 

OP - did this solve your issue? My truck just started having this exact same issue but I don't have uni-ball UCAs. We just had a huge rainstorm here over the past weekend so I'm wondering if it is related to that, but am curious if things ended up working out for you.

 

Camburg uni-ball squick/qreek, imagine that....

is the best to use, yes it drys, as well has pulls the dirt and dust out of the riding surfaces.

 

Keep oil and grease, including that WD grease spray, out of there. Use a dry film lube only.

 

Yes, it was the uni-balls that were causing the noise. I've been using the tri-flow dry lube and it works like a charm.

 

For you guys that need the Tri-flow, most bicycle shops stock it for chains and cables, and if they don't stock the tri-flow brand they'll have some other brand of dry lube. Save you from having to order it, pay shipping and wait for it.