High pitched whistle at idle from steering

[Drbubbles84]

Definitely not a normal sound, bring that baby into the service center

Sounds like something under pressure.. like a tea pot.. I would get that in so they can address it. Definitely not the typical steering whine and you are hardly touching the steering so... best not to FAFO that kinda thing!

Steering and brakes - straight to the shop - don't wait... don't hesitate!

One test... turn the hvac off and do a cold start just in case it's coming from somewhere else and seems like steering.

Cheers

I'm not sure it is the steering, but maybe it is. It's worse when it's not under load (not moving the steering). I agree with the idea that moving the steering loads the alternator and maybe therefore loads the vacuum system or a pully makes sense.

I didn't hear a peep today though, with warmer weather

 

[Aaron24F350]

It's one of those kinda things you either dive into the engine bay yourself or, go get a wrench monkey on the job.

Let them find the problem, go have lunch somewhere and come back to the problem solved. That's what I'd suggest. It's all free to you as a new owner anyways and, you (I assume) paid for the truck plus warranty in the last 30 days or so haha... I'd say they should be sorting that out for you.

Simply too hard to diagnose the noise over the internet because too many variables unless it was super common and easy to locate... the only thing you'll see is a wave of "could be" posts.

Go make em work for their money haha it's what they're their for.

 

[Modman]

There is NO EPAS on these Super Duty trucks. Popping the hood to see a hydraulic reservior is the only real measure to check, which I'm going to say is 1000% there since this is a SD truck.

My mistake then. I thought I had recalled seeing that the 23+ had moved to full EPAS but must not have been paying close enough attention!

 

[Apples]

I'll call it for my own edification Electric Steering Assist, then, since it is electric and assists w/ Lane Keeping Assist.

Thanks for the clarification, H.A.

 

[Drbubbles84]

So they say they think it's from the steering gear. They disconnected it from the pitman arm and the sound went away. Parts on order now

 

[Aaron24F350]

Glad you got it in to the Dr. Doctor Best to have them diagnose and repair while you have the ability to take advantage of the warranty.

 

[Drbubbles84]

Didn't fix it. Still at the dealer.

 

[Xsboost]

Just got the truck (200 miles). There's a high pitch whistle that comes from the steering at idle (see video). Is modified by moving the steering wheel. Eventually seems to go away with driving.

Any ideas?

My new 26 has the same exact noise. Did you ever figure out what was causing it? Thanks

 

[securityguy]

My new 26 has the same exact noise. Did you ever figure out what was causing it? Thanks

see post #25

 

[Xsboost]

see post #25

See post #27

 

[securityguy]

Thankfully, my 26 does not experience this issue.

 

[Drbubbles84]

My new 26 has the same exact noise. Did you ever figure out what was causing it? Thanks

They replaced it and it didn't fix it. It definitely improved it though. And the noise has since become less frequent.

I almost traded it in on a platinum and noticed that was also making the same noise, just much much quieter. Driven a couple others and same.

 

[Xsboost]

Yeah, just got a 26 platinum and same issue as yours. Maybe I can have them change that gear and at least make it less annoying.

 

[Mark_Lock_Holmes]

I have a new 26 Platinum; I thought I was going crazy. 1700 miles; I got in the truck today and heard a faint noise ; turned a/c and music off and there it was. I cannot hear it over the music and a/c but mine does not go away when driving. The sound is still there when I park to turn off the truck. It sounds the same as the video when turning the wheel.

I wonder if they will figure out a way to fix it, or, if all trucks have it just at different noise levels.

 

[Drbubbles84]

Yeah it's pretty annoying

 

[securityguy]

I have a new 26 Platinum; I thought I was going crazy. 1700 miles; I got in the truck today and heard a faint noise ; turned a/c and music off and there it was. I cannot hear it over the music and a/c but mine does not go away when driving. The sound is still there when I park to turn off the truck. It sounds the same as the video when turning the wheel.

I wonder if they will figure out a way to fix it, or, if all trucks have it just at different noise levels.

No issues with with my 3-month old 2026 Platinum F250 7.3. You have a warranty so see what they find.

 

[Xsboost]

I have a new 26 Platinum; I thought I was going crazy. 1700 miles; I got in the truck today and heard a faint noise ; turned a/c and music off and there it was. I cannot hear it over the music and a/c but mine does not go away when driving. The sound is still there when I park to turn off the truck. It sounds the same as the video when turning the wheel.

I wonder if they will figure out a way to fix it, or, if all trucks have it just at different noise levels.

Yeah I think most of the diesels do it, it's just some people are not picky. I will be taking mine in to see if they can figure it out in a couple weeks. It's the most noticeable when the engine is warming up between 100 and 170 degrees. Let us know if you take yours in and get it figured out and I'll do the same.

 

[Drbubbles84]

No issues with with my 3-month old 2026 Platinum F250 7.3. You have a warranty so see what they find.

Thanks for the advice, hadn't tried that yet. Dealers don't get paid much for tracking down noises so most aren't interested in doing it. If the first try doesn't fix the they just move to the "cannot reproduce" route.

Also all of the dealers in my 100 square mile radius have bad reviews for their service departments.

 

[Mark_Lock_Holmes]

Boys, I sent this thread and the video over to Whiteface Ford (YouTuber); hopefully he can solve the great mystery.

Mine is so annoying; I was trying to talk on the phone this morning and it’s just buzzing. I work in my truck so I want to get it fixed; reminds me of a old truck with a bad a/c.

 

[Drbubbles84]

Here's what my AI says:

The persistent high-pitched whistling noise at idle on your Ford Super Duty (which sounds like it's coming from the dash or steering column) is a known issue tied to the steering shaft bulkhead seal where it passes through the firewall.


Here are the primary ways owners on the enthusiast forums have been resolving it:

• The Quick Fix (Lubrication): The noise is usually just the rubber boot dry-rubbing against the spinning steering shaft. Applying a high-quality dielectric silicone grease or a Teflon-based spray lubricant directly to the seal/boot at the firewall typically stops the whistle immediately.
• Adjustment: Some owners found success by slightly loosening, realigning, and re-torquing the steering column mounting bolts to change the angle of the shaft through the seal, relieving the friction.
• The Dealer Solution: Because it's a known service issue, dealers have been replacing the lower steering shaft and the boot assembly under warranty. Since you were tracking this for a service visit, bringing it up to the techs as a suspected bulkhead seal friction issue will point them exactly where they need to go.