Creaking type noise in steering on Rhino....balljoints maybe?

I have a creaking type squeaky noise out of the steering. It is loud. I greased the steering box components under the boot as was suggested by another guy during a conversation. That didn't fix it. I changed the brakes; no change. I checeked the bearings and they have very little play. My Rhino does have wheel spacers and c-series wheels so I'm sure there is some additional pressure in the area. My thought now are that it may be the balljoints. Anyone have any history of symptoms of failing balljoints? Any help is greatly appreciated, Matt

the joints are sealed. but you might be able to grease the ball joints
with a grease needle. just slide it under the rubber and fill her up..

ChrisC wrote:

the joints are sealed. but you might be able to grease the ball joints
with a grease needle. just slide it under the rubber and fill her up..

Might be worth a try. Wonder if they're damaged though? However, everything seems tight.

Tiger,

The bushings in A-Arms will creak/squeak too if they get too dry. Might try lubing them too.

Matt I got your message and will call you back tomorrow.

I have heard the squeaking on his Rhino, I don't think its the bushings because it does it sitting still in the garage just by moving the steering wheel slightly.

NO WAIT, Its lack of use!!! RIDE more, squeak less!

its eather the tie rod ends are dry or the ball joints are dry.
Grease everything you can get to.....

Check the ball joint nuts to see if they are loose.

wvyankee2 wrote:

Check the ball joint nuts to see if they are loose.

10-4 on that. Mine have been loose more than a few times..........

ridepate wrote:

Tiger,

The bushings in A-Arms will creak/squeak too if they get too dry. Might try lubing them too.

That's the same thing that Todd at Hunteworks said. I think that is it. I went up to the garage and just did a brief test last night with a can of WD-40. Seemed to help. I probably need to pull everything apart so I can lube it better.

Thanks guys!

Neuromax wrote:

Matt I got your message and will call you back tomorrow.

I have heard the squeaking on his Rhino, I don't think its the bushings because it does it sitting still in the garage just by moving the steering wheel slightly.

NO WAIT, Its lack of use!!! RIDE more, squeak less!

That could be Daryl. It's just too hot in the summer for me to want to ride.

Also the guy I bought it from kept it spotless...literally better than showroom appearance. He probably had the pressure washer to it often. Wonder if that could affect the a-arm bushings. After having my wife turn the wheel and listening closely, that is where is sounds like it is coming from. It's just going to be difficult to lube without pulling it all apart.

wvyankee2 wrote:

Check the ball joint nuts to see if they are loose.

They appear to be tight.

Ok, I've continued to spray wd-40 2 or 3 times and it seems to have helped. Must be dry bushings. Thinking about a penetrating oil like a PB Blaster that might get in there better. Not completely gone but certainly better.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I got some new wheels and tires and while I pulled the old ones off, I went ahead and pulled the A-arms off to grease the bushings. After reassembling that was not, it was still squeaking.

My friend "Neuromax" came over to pick up a part I grabbed for him when I went to get my new wheels and tires and we looked at it briefly. I turned the wheel and we compressed the steering while he looked. I had totally missed it by Daryl saw the skid plate on the a-arm flexing. I guess it had moved and gotten in a bind. I haven't moved it yet to veryify that is the issue but it does look like that is the problem. I will update later. Thanks for the help Daryl!

wow. simple fix....

I have heard that the metal a arm guard will move a lil and cause a lil squeak...didnt even think about that until you just mentioned it...

NOW, EVERYONE GO QUICK AND TIGHTEN YOUR A ARM GUARDS

You are welcome Matt, it was just one of those things that is hard to find by yourself. I just happened to see it flexing. I am certain that is the cause of the noise.

I think I am going to replace the brakes on mine now, they aren't gone but they can't be far from it. Lets go ride!

Neuromax wrote:

You are welcome Matt, it was just one of those things that is hard to find by yourself. I just happened to see it flexing. I am certain that is the cause of the noise.

I think I am going to replace the brakes on mine now, they aren't gone but they can't be far from it. Lets go ride!

Trust me, I'm dying to ride,.....but after seeing a big buck last night with nothing but moonlight and a silouette.....I'm dying to hunt too.

I saw 2 deer this weekend, combine them! Ride with a gun and you can do both!

Mud would have stopped the noise.....

roamerr wrote:

Mud would have stopped the noise.....

Now you tell me....and after all that wrenching....

Ok, I adjusted the skid plates and that corrected it. Man, what a relief...that was worrying the dog out of me.

Now on lubing the bushings......that worked great on my old Honda Foreman at the hunt club this weekend! Thanks for the advice there, now I'm back to a fairly stealthy machine again to transport me hunting! Just a squirt of WD-40 on all the A-arm joints did the trick!

yeah but now the deer will smell the WD40 LOL

Neuromax wrote:

yeah but now the deer will smell the WD40 LOL

That's true enough but I just park where it'll run them to my stand :afro:

I actually have a gun cleaning kit that is supposed to be scent free so that deer cannot smell my fire iron.

spray some doe in heat on them joints

ridepate wrote:

Tiger,

The bushings in A-Arms will creak/squeak too if they get too dry. Might try lubing them too.

Patting my own back..........................................Listen to the man :afro: when he talks.............

ridepate wrote:

ridepate wrote:

Tiger,

The bushings in A-Arms will creak/squeak too if they get too dry. Might try lubing them too.

Patting my own back..........................................Listen to the man :afro: when he talks.............

I appreciate the suggestion, it defintely worked on the old Honda. No luck with that method on the Rhino though.

As a matter of fact I've got the right a-arm quiet now on the Rhino but still some squeaking on the drivers side...it is about to drive me crazy. I may just pull the alum skid off all together and see if that is definitely it....I still think it is. It must have moved when I tightened it and now it squeaks again. May have to trim a little with the grinder, just need to look at it and see where it is marred and that will probably be where it is rubbing/squeaking.