Steering creaks... BAD!

[suavematt]

Hey guys,

The 79' Super-cab I just got runs great & all but the steering CREAKS like no other & I mean BAD.
Friend of mine said it was the King-pins? I greased Everything on the steering/front suspension but to no avail;

He told me he thought he remembered reading an old article in a magazine about this problem & that when these trucks sit for a year or more this is a pretty common occurrence; & that the fix was to put OIL in them, instead of grease???

Any of yal' ever had this problem or fixed it? I re-greased the everything til' the grease was pressed oput of the sides, but the creaks are still as loud as ever... It's only when I turn the tires, whether it's moving or not;

Any help/advice would be great gonna try to fix the problem tomorrow
Thanks!

Later!

~ Suave'

[fordman]

narrow down the creaks. mayeb its the radius arm bushing creaking from being slightly loose. or it could be coming from the front coil springs and cups.

[1971ford]

when i think of a suspension creak i think of coil springs and there seats like fordman said. What if you have a buddy jump on the bumper a few times while you look for where the creaks are coming from, if it does creak when he jumps on it and if you can check it out well enough without getting hit by the bouncing truck.
I also think of the i beam mount bushings squeaking. Did you lube those up?

[suavematt]

No, it's not the springs, Drivin' strait it's smooth as silk (aside from exhaust leak ) But like I say, whether the trucks rolling or not, it's only when you turn the steering wheel, & as soon as the wheels begin to turn ( & for the duration of the steering wheels movement) in either direction it Creaks. I run over speed humps & speed bumps all the times & it doesn't make a sound on the bounce.

I also think of the i beam mount bushings squeaking. Did you lube those up?

you talkin' about the two grease-fitting on top & bottom of the knuckle, or pivot-point for the front wheels? If so, yes, grease all of of them. I lay'd under the Truck Saturday & hit every grease fittin' & could find front to back.
It did help the steering easier as far as the actual turning of the wheel is concerned (which was never all that bad to begin with, bein' power-steering & all) But this creakin' is enough to scare people as I'm turning the wheels as I leave the gas-station

Later.

~ Suave'

[SteveC]

dont think its the king pings my 67 sat since 99 and it didnt creak neither did the 72 disk set up i put on it and it sat since 94.
i would bet on bushing's or on a something in the steering linkage

[Bullitt390]

When my kingpins started to sieze they creeked so bad people across the parking lot at Safeway and Wal-Mart were ducking for cover and wondering what the heck was going on.

It eventually got way too embarassing so I did the deed and replaced them. No more creek.

Josh

[suavematt]

When my kingpins started to sieze they creeked so bad people across the parking lot at Safeway and Wal-Mart were ducking for cover and wondering what the heck was going on.

It eventually got way too embarassing so I did the deed and replaced them. No more creek.

Josh

Hahaha ... Mine are in that same kinda condition ....

How much did it cost for the replacement parts?
Thanks.

~ Suave'

[fordman]

did you get enough grease in them? did it over flow out of the sides or the spindle? if i tdid then you got enough in there.

[mljjones67]

Jack up the front end so both tires are off the ground. Grease the fittings then turn the wheel several time each way then grease again. Do it until the creeks go away. If that dont work probably need to be replaced. Also the grease fitting could be clogged and not letting the grease all the way in.

[Bullitt390]

Believe me, the creek DOES NOT go away.

As for me I replaced the kingpins in 2000 I believe and the metal kit from NAPA was around $40. The hardest part is getting the old ones out.

Josh

[suavematt]

Well I've grease'd & oil'd & replaced all the grease fitting etc... Made a very noticeable difference ( to anyone who herd it before ) But she still SQAWKS & CREAKS like a gig'd catfish ... Guess I'm gonna have to replace the Kingpins after all.

Later!

~ Suave'