noise while turning steering wheel

[koda2000]

2001 Explorer 5.0 V8 2WD 180k: I've noticed a noise when I start turning the steering wheel while stopped or while bearly moving. It doesn't matter what position the wheels are in. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and figured it out. It's not very loud, you don't even notice it if the radio is on or if the blower fan is on medium or higher. To me it sounds like a bushing binding/creaking. It's not a p/s pump or spool valve kind of noise and the outter tie rod ends seem ok. There are no other symthoms (no hard spots, no vibrations, no leaks, no pops (unless you'd consider this a "pop"), no excess play) and once the vehicle is moving I don't hear it. Any ideas?

 

[dmoney98]

Check power steering fluid

 

[my98nnj]

. To me it sounds like a bushing binding/creaking.

And that's probably what it is.
Check, ball joints and bushings.

 

[deweyville65]

2001 Explorer 5.0 V8 2WD 180k: I've noticed a noise when I start turning the steering wheel while stopped or while bearly moving. It doesn't matter what position the wheels are in. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and figured it out. It's not very loud, you don't even notice it if the radio is on or if the blower fan is on medium or higher. To me it sounds like a bushing binding/creaking. It's not a p/s pump or spool valve kind of noise and the outter tie rod ends seem ok. There are no other symthoms (no hard spots, no vibrations, no leaks, no pops (unless you'd consider this a "pop"), no excess play) and once the vehicle is moving I don't hear it. Any ideas?

A good reason to not turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is not moving. There is tremendous strain on all the steering and suspension parts, plus the tires when doing this. I have stated this before, and was chastised for it.
Before the advent of power steering, few people were able to turn the wheel without the vehicle moving. Very few people consider the wear and tear they are causing.
But, my answer to the question is to jack up the front end, and check the ball joints, control arm bushings, tierod ends(inner and outer), steering rack, and check for play in the steering column.

 

[PDXplore]

I have a similar issue with my '02 XLT. Turned out it is the RF wheel bearing.

Makes a "shimmy" feeling and creeks when turning the wheels from a stop or low speeds (because of the play in the hub).

 

[WyomingExplorer]

I just had to change my left front wheel bearing last week for that reason. It makes a world of difference because when i got about 45 mph the noise was a loud drone and almost unbearable. I believe one of my other bearings are going out also..

 

[koda2000]

Well, unfortunately it's sometimes necessary to turn the steering wheel when the vehicle isn't moving... It's not like I make a habit of it. On closer examination I'm now thinking it's the ball joints. They appear to be original and all four boots are torn and cracked and the joints appear dry. At 180k it's time to change them anyway and I'm 98%sure it's the source of the noise.

Am I correct in thinking the ball joints press out/in? If so, I guess I'll need the giant C-clamp loan-a-tool.

Thanks for your input!