In a B2500, '98, what are the causes of extremely loud (half block away loud) creaking in the steering. Also in the front end while hitting any bumps in the road or just rocking the truck by hand.

 

that sounds like some of the disadvantages of having a Ford manufactured vehicle. most likely is going to be ball joints and sway bar links, check them out and if the boots are torn and there is no grease in them then ball joints are no good if the link bushings are dried are cracked then the links are bad. Good Luck

 

I suspected the ball joints as they are seal units and can't be greased - no rubber left either. I had wondered about the power steering unit, or maybe belt for the steering creaking...fluid levels are ok.

 

there is a few different possibilities as to the steering noise. check your steering stop, when they dry out they make a lot of noise. if that is the problem just put a blob of grease on them. if you have torsion bars check the rubber bushings as they might need replaced. if it is a whining that you hear do a power steering flush as when the fluid brakes down their pumps make a lot of noise. if the flush doesnt fix it replace the pump but the remanned pump are never 100% quiet.