Whining/howling noise when turning steering wheel side to side

Hey guys, I have an issue that just popped up yesterday while I was out on a trail in the rain/mud. Midway through the trail, my truck started making this sound whenever I turn the steering wheel that sounds a lot like a coyote howling (not that loud of course) and sometimes it sounds more like a creaking noise. Listening to it carefully, it seems like it's coming directly from behind my steering wheel (or the steering wheel itself). My initial thought was that some dirt or something got back in there and was causing it so I didn't think much of it at first (I usually wheel with my windows down so I'm used to having to clean my interior.)

I saw someone posted a video of their truck making a similar sound on the TW facebook page and everyone there told him it was likely the ball joints (uppers or lowers). I just had my lowers replaced a few months ago through Toyota, so I'm 99% sure they are fine. However my uppers are SPC Light Racing arms with their greaseable ball joints, and ever since I had them installed they've oozed out grease pretty bad from the boots. I always figured that since they were greaseable, it was normal for the old grease to come out since SPC recommends putting a pump or two of grease in every few thousand miles or so. But now I'm wondering if maybe I'm dealing with bad upper ball joints, or maybe it's a steering wheel/column issue?

I'll try to post up a video clip of it here pretty soon, just looking to see if anyone else has run into this before I take it in to get looked at. Thanks

 

You sure it's not the power steering? (Not trying to insult)

 

No offense taken, I'm open to any suggestions at this point. That crossed my mind too but this facebook video sounds similar to what I'm experiencing so it made me think that I might be dealing with my upper BJs. I can't share it on here it seems since the group is private, balls.

I had the power steering fluid changed recently but I'll take a look at it and see what it looks like.

 

Drove through some, yeah. It started pouring on us when we were out on the trail so it was inevitable. I didn't hit any big mud pits hard on purpose or anything, I avoid stuff like that. But it was really muddy and wet, yeah.

 

Honestly, visually inspect everything. Check your PS fluid level. If that's good, spray off the underside of your truck and inspect the ball joints. Something will look out of whack if it's messed up.

 

I took it straight to the DIY car wash when we were done and hosed it down all over, but I didn't do much of a visual inspection (other than noticing the grease oozing out of the UCA boots). I put a couple more pumps of grease in them this morning so we'll see what happens when I drive it later, I'll check out the PS fluid too. Thanks for the tips

 

Grease coming out of ball joint boots isn't good.. ball joint replacement should soon follow.

 

Fortunately I hear that SPC is good about sending replacements if you have a receipt, which I still do. Even if that didn't cause this issue it's something I'll have to take care of soon.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if adding grease fixed the noise.

 

Ball joints are nothing to play with. A failed ball joint at highway speeds can mean death.

 

Good to know, I'll check it out thanks

 

That's why I got my lowers replaced a few months ago through Toyota, not something I want to gamble with

 

Ok so it's definitley coming from behind the steering wheel in the steering column, can hear it best from up above the pedals. Not the ball joints or anywhere outside the truck. PS fluid looks good.

 

My buddies rack went out last year had a similar howl/whining noise......

Might not be the same as yours tho.

 

Crap, that doesn't sound cheap lol

Wonder if something like that would fall under my extended powertrain warranty...

 

Not so sure... won't hurt to ask if it's cover or not.

 

update: well, the noise went away. I added a small amount of power steering fluid since it looked a tad low when hot, that seemed to help but the noise was still there for a few days afterward. Then it went away completely. Still not sure if it was the PS fluid or if maybe something got dirty from the mud and eventually cleaned itself off, but it's gone now. Thanks for the responses guys