Steering wheel squeek

[SkinGripz]

Ok, sorting out some minor issues with the new 09 H3T and you guys have helped sooo much !! Thank you.

Having a VERY FAINT squeek coming from INSIDE vehicle when turning steering wheel immediately after starting. Does not sound like belt, joints, under hood, etc. sounds like it is actually in the steering wheel. Like a spring that needs a dab of grease or something.

so faint, most would not notice, but my OCD is killing me. Needs alignment after torsion lift last week, and new shocks and extended bumpstops today, but want to give it a few more days to settle in and be perfect left to right before having it done. Dont know how a alignment would help, but maybe I'm missing something.

again, it is not loud at all. If I breath normally, could miss it. It is inside the vehicle, and sounds like it is actually the steering wheel itself, just under the plastic trim.

any help appreciated. smart ass suggestions will be met with a voodoo curse. beer donations will make you my new BFF...

 

[4speedfunk]

Its the steering wheel rubbing on the plastic column cover. Ignore it...turn up the stereo.

 

[SkinGripz]

Its the steering wheel rubbing on the plastic column cover. Ignore it...turn up the stereo.

Thanks, will check that.

Cant ignore it. OCD has already made me stuff a roll of wadded up paper towels into the headliner to keep the blasted wires up there from "clicking" over every bump.

All out of WD-40 here, think K-Y would work??

 

[4speedfunk]

You got the wrong vehicle!

 

[SkinGripz]

You got the wrong vehicle!

oh, I know. The Rubicon was much worse for rattles, squeaks, and pops though. Needed to double my meds just to drive it...

 

[ArtHummer]

...turn up the stereo.

What he said... Fixes most of my problems... LOL

 

[SkinGripz]

K-Y

Fixes ALL​ of my problems...

 

[3rdH3]

My 10 Alpha/Offroad does it too. I have learned to ignore it.

 

[SkinGripz]

As I had thought, it was the Upper Bearing Spring making the noise against the Steering Shaft. Knew it sounded like a spring needing grease. There wasn't any, but there certainly is now. Noise all gone...

looked to see if the suggested steering wheel rubbing the housing cover, but could find no points even close to touching. Those with squeaking wheels may want to consider this, or keep turning your radios up. Me, just wanted it right.

Also found the danm rattle that seemed to come very faintly around 2600 rpm. It sounded like a thin piece of metal vibrating. First thought was heat shields and the like. Found it underneath, midway, next to the auto trans pan. The heat shield next to it has 3 bolts, two easy to get to, the third is impossible with regular tools without dropping the exhaust there. I CNC'd a "wrench" out of 1/8" sheet steel to allow me the space to get to the bolt. Apparently, when the last owner did or had the trans fluid changed they (he or the tech) decided that bolt was too much of a PITA to get to, so left it off, allowing the shield to rattle at a specific harmonic around 2600 rpm. Fixed now, but really ticked me off on the stupid, no, I mean STUPID, design on where to locate that bolt. Would have been just as easy to give access from below, but some dumb college kid, who's never got a drop of grease on his hands, must have had a part in the design....


Pic of the Upper Bearing Spring on Steering Shaft.

 

[4speedfunk]

I mean STUPID, design on where to locate that bolt. Would have been just as easy to give access from below, but some dumb college kid, who's never got a drop of grease on his hands, must have had a part in the design....

Welcome to the new GM!....where everyone on this forum knows more about their products than anyone at the dealer.

 

[SkinGripz]

Welcome to the new GM!....where everyone on this forum knows more about their products than anyone at the dealer.

Kinda takes the need away for the dealer service center.

with the info available on the forum, and the massive amount of real-life experience in fixing these things, there really is very little need to visit the dealer.

now, if I can find the scan tool at a garage sale somewhere, we'll be all set..