msteel Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I am trying to diagnose a squeak in my front passenger side. Here are the conditions when I notice it: * It sounds like "squee-squee-squee..." and changes speed along with the wheels. * It only happens when the car is in motion, above say, 15mph. * In gear or out of gear, clutch in or out, doesn't matter. * Brakes on or off, doesn't matter. * I can't tell if turning really changes the sound or if it is the placebo effect. But, it seems like turning left makes it louder and and turning right might even make it go away. * I only remember noticing the noise in cold weather, that is, below about 32 degrees F. * It started shortly (but not immediately) after I replaced the passenger side axle shaft (with a used one from the parts car I used to have). All of this is consistent (in my experience) with a bad wheel bearing, except for the squeaking part. Any wheel bearings I've had fail always growled or rumbled, but never squeaked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Maybe the dust shield is rubbing on the inside of the rotor a little? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Best bet is to remove it all, again, and double check everything. Are your rotors warped at all? A surging felt while applying the brakes? Sometimes if it is it will only rub at a certain point. Look for shiney spots on the rotor, axle, shields, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I had a throw out bearing spring rub on my pressure plate once. made a tiny squeek it was a ea81 ,1984 wagon 2wd., what year soob do you have. I would also think it could be the dust shield on the drive shaft, they do bend easy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Could be the e-brake on that side is not releasing all the way. Happens when it gets real cold out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Check the axle nuts for proper torque again. Been a few of us that have had the bearings move a bit after axle work. Don't know why, but it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteel Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 At least it seems nobody thinks it's a wheel bearing. I'll check out the other things when I get a chance. But of course it is 75 today, 6 days after 4+ inches of snow. And the noise isn't there. So knowing me, I may be lazy and wait until the noise comes back or I need to do other work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 You described my exact issue. I can make mine go away by tapping the break and then it comes back. And only when it is really cold. I am almost postive its something with my e-brake rubbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audio_file Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 1st post in quite awhile . . . but i have the same issue on the FRONT of my XT6 (which is a REAR e-braked car, right? . . .) the squeak in my car almost sounds like a repetitive "rubber on rubber" squeak more than a "something on metal" sound. mine is also more audible when the car is cold/hasn't been driven for hours. it's done it for 6 months or more, and hasn't really gotten any worse or better. before 6 months ago, the car hadn't been driven consistently for YEARS, and i had to replace the DOJ boots, so i'd just kinda figured that the noise was from something that didn't appreciate sitting in one place for years (like a wheel-bearing), or that somehow when i replaced the DOJ boots i had done something that was causing the noise its one of those noises that you can tell won't cause your car to spontaneously explode, so you learn to tune it out , but being able to solve it would be great!! -chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash321 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 This is usaully caused by a rust build up on the rotor rubbing on the shield or caliper, if you do have a rust build up, take a ball peen side of the hammer annd lightly tap the edge of the rotor and knock off the rust, this should solve your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Check the axle nuts for proper torque again. Been a few of us that have had the bearings move a bit after axle work. Don't know why, but it happens. +1 If it has done it long enough you'll have to replace the cone washer and dome washer, its like it gets little metal filings in it and it will end up backing off again in a few days.................... Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee2 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Was the source of this squeak ever found ? What was the solution ? I have the same problem as the original poster, replaced the left front bearings,seals and axle and got the new squeeking noise. I have tried everything I can think of and still have the same persistent noise, (squeek, squeek, squeek). It's definitely rotational. I have tried: --checking the bearings that they are fully seated --replacing the inner seal --adding grease to the bearings --double checking the axle nut --switched the front and rear wheels --checked the brake components I would really like to know if the others were able to solve their problem . thanks for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 i will bet the flat washer on the axle nut is on backwards. the washer is concave and the concave side meets the hub and the convex side meets the nut. if this is on backwards, the nut backs off causing slack i the bearing, eventually causing he bearing to fail of not corrected. if the washers are on correctly, suspect a loose nut (tq 145 lb/ft). otherwise suspect the bearings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wootersen Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Speedometer cable needs to be lubed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee2 Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Don't think it is the speedo cable. The noise only began with the replacement of the new bearings and axle. I checked the washers and axle nut, all seemed ok, and I'm reluctant to think it is the new parts. Some progress though, when reassembling I opted to go beyond the 145 torque setting and went to the next notch after 145 for the cotter pin and then 1 more notch after that. Not sure what torque that gives me because I used my breaker bar to get there. seems to have helped. All noise is not yet gone, but I don't get the high pitched squeek, more of a dull rhythmic noise now. I will have to drive it some more to see if it improves or gets worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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