Steering Wheel Screech (Only When It's Cold)

[glowell222]

So back in late December of 2000 I took my wife in my TJ to The People's Republic of Ohio to see my family for Christmas. That trip reminded me why I no longer live in The PRO-the wind-chill at night during that visit would drop down into the negative twenties and didn't climb above zero during daylight. And does the wind in Ohio ever stop blowing? It does not. You can tell the wind is blowing because the cows are all still standing up. If the wind stops blowing, the cows all tip over. I drove my Jeep because of the possibility (likelihood) of inclement weather (Ohio), and I was not going to be trapped-I was going to leave when my patience was exhausted. That moment arrived at 7 pm on Christmas night, if I recall correctly. We arrived home in VA around 3am.

Since 7 pm on Christmas night of 2000, when it is cold outside (below about 30 degrees) I get a screeching sound when I am turning the steering wheel in either direction. Doesn't happen at any other temperatures. I have had the steering wheel off numerous times, and I have put white lithium grease in places from where I suspect the sound originates. So far none of my attempts to fix this have been successful. I was reminded of my failure just this morning.

Anyone else have this issue and have you resolved it? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

A screeching power steering system can indicate the pump is bad, it has air in the system, or the reservoir is low on PS fluid.

But are you running a synthetic power steering fluid? Synthetic does better in extremely cold conditions. If not try replacing as much of the current power steering fluid as possible with a synthetic. A turkey blaster is good at sucking old PS fluid out. Fill it with the fresh stuff, start the engine so it can circulate, then do it one more time. No guarantees as my first suspicion is a bad power steering pump.

 

[AndyG]

If you really think it's under the wheel, you have cage type bearings that van be easily damaged if someone gets aggressive removing the wheel.

I defer to Jerry though, he's got more common sense than me, but since I have none whatsoever, I'm not sure what level of it he has. I just know it's more.

 

[smcnich]

I think he’s talking about this:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/steering-wheel-groan-634313/?amp=1

 

[glowell222]

A screeching power steering system can indicate the pump is bad, it has air in the system, or the reservoir is low on PS fluid.

But are you running a synthetic power steering fluid? Synthetic does better in extremely cold conditions. If not try replacing as much of the current power steering fluid as possible with a synthetic. A turkey blaster is good at sucking old PS fluid out. Fill it with the fresh stuff, start the engine so it can circulate, then do it one more time. No guarantees as my first suspicion is a bad power steering pump.

Thanks Jerry. Apologies for the vagueness in the opening post. The sound is actually coming from the steering wheel itself. You can feel it vibrating a bit as well while turning the wheel. The rest of the steering system is in excellent condition-pump was replaced in 2018, and the steering box is a later model ZF box that came with the frame when I did the frame swap about a year ago-it's in excellent condition as well.

For the record, the first time I had the steering wheel off was in 2017 for a new clockspring. I was getting the sound way before that though, and I have just lived with it. Have had the wheel off multiple times since then for various reasons, and it's easier dealing with some interior issues with the wheel out of the way.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Try spraying the rubber boot the steering shaft passes through on the inside of the firewall with an aerosol dry or lithium lubricant.

 

[glowell222]

Try spraying the rubber boot the steering shaft passes through on the inside of the firewall with an aerosol dry or lithium lubricant.

Thanks-I will try that. I have white lithium grease as well as dry silicone aerosol lubricant. Is one more preferable?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks-I will try that. I have white lithium grease as well as dry silicone aerosol lubricant. Is one more preferable?

Either is fine, the grease might last a little longer but the aerosol would be a lot easier.

 

[glowell222]

Either is fine, the grease might last a little longer but the aerosol would be a lot easier.

Thanks again-I will go with the grease.

 

[glowell222]

I applied the lithium grease to the grommet and now no more screech (I guess it was called a groan by everyone else).

Thanks again!

 

[astjp2]

My wife's TJ did it, it would up being the support bearing for the column under the brake booster...