incremental squeaking
 

Hi guys,

probably a stupid question here...

i am getting a squeak from one of the front wheels, but only when i turn the wheels to the left. If I apply the breaks it goes away, but i don't think it is a wear indicator because wouldn't it squeak regardless of the direction I turn the wheels? I am leaning towards a wheel bearing, but don't really know how to diagnose it.

Any thoughts?

Re: incremental squeaking
 

could a wheel bearing cause alot of break dust?

mines doing the same thing actually...but my brakes are hangin' too, im hopign its a prop. vavle because thats the only old thing on the brake stuff now..

Re: incremental squeaking
 

Make sure your pads are tight in the calipers and the rattle clips are holding good to the piston. Also put some synthetic brake lube on the back sides of the pads to prevent vibration the leading cause of brake noise.

Re: incremental squeaking
 

hey hayhauler, why do you think mine only makes noise while turning to the left? I feel like brakes would make noise all the time...

Re: incremental squeaking
 

i'd put it up on jack stands with the wheels off and spend the weekend inspecting things and greasing up moving parts and looking for worn components

Re: incremental squeaking
 

I'm guessing that if you're unsure of the state of your wheelbearings, you're overdue to pack them. While you're at it, take cdowns advice. I think I'll do the same.

Re: incremental squeaking
 

You will get a laugh out of this one..... I had an old Merc do that to me, & had that front wheel off a half dozen times. It would only squeak turning 1 direction, the pads & rotors looked good. After a little harder look, I found a small pc of gravel stuck tween the rotor & the splash guard! You might also check the wheel bearings(as already mentioned). crazyAL

Re: incremental squeaking
 

you know, it could be as simple as a chunk of something stuck somewhere. I haven't had a chance to inspect anything since posting, but will let you know if I am fighting gravel :)

I'll check the wheel bearings too but I am not really sure what I am looking for...

Re: incremental squeaking
 

A service manual will tell you exactly how to do it. They actually need to be packed fairly often.

Re: incremental squeaking
 

shock mounts cause squeaks sometimes// the top muont studs loosen up and enlong the mounting holes// just grab hold of shock and wiggle

have you ever greased the balljoints or tierods or any of the aframe bushings?
have you checked the brake pads?to see if there"s anything there like brake pad material?

service manuals are great tools

Re: incremental squeaking
 

well, got a few minutes to pull the front wheels....it's the brake pad wear indicator on the left wheel...so it looks like brake pads are in my future.

The wheelbearings seem tight and have plenty of grease, so they must have been repacked before I bought the truck in March.

Since I will be doing pads, i might as well get the rotors turned, and at that point I will repack the wheelbearings again to keep the service interval.

Also, I noticed my upper balljoint on the left side is riveted not bolted, so it must be the original?? Might have balljoints in my future too...

...and, the service manual is in the mail :)

Thanks guys

Re: incremental squeaking
 

I've done a million of the upper, riveted in ball joints. The easiest way for me is to take a flap wheel in the grinder and make the head of the rivet go away. Then put a punch in your air hammer. A couple of blows with that and the rivet is gone.