Squeak-Squeak-Squeak Noise
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Joined: Jan 2024
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Squeak-Squeak-Squeak Noise
Hey y'all,
I got my first bullnose truck (1986 F-150 RWD 300 I6) a couple months back and have done a lot of repairs, but there's one thing that really bugs me... when I'm moving, there's a repeating squeak that sounds like it's coming from either the front driver side wheel or something nearby, and it gets louder and faster the faster the truck is moving irrespective of RPMs. I thought it might be the bearing(s) going dry or something so I went ahead and replaced the bearings and grease seals on both front wheels, adding plenty of new lithium grease. That didn't do anything to fix the noise, and I'm stumped. Putting on the brakes doesn't quiet it down at all, and all four pads are still good. Any ideas on what I should check next? Thank you!
-Isaac
I got my first bullnose truck (1986 F-150 RWD 300 I6) a couple months back and have done a lot of repairs, but there's one thing that really bugs me... when I'm moving, there's a repeating squeak that sounds like it's coming from either the front driver side wheel or something nearby, and it gets louder and faster the faster the truck is moving irrespective of RPMs. I thought it might be the bearing(s) going dry or something so I went ahead and replaced the bearings and grease seals on both front wheels, adding plenty of new lithium grease. That didn't do anything to fix the noise, and I'm stumped. Putting on the brakes doesn't quiet it down at all, and all four pads are still good. Any ideas on what I should check next? Thank you!
-Isaac
Last edited by isaacsbees; Jan 4, 2024 at 08:47 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,243
Is it louder when on a bumpy route? Might be on the suspension. Try a step ladder next to the fender and get your weight positioned so you can press down and release the fender and get it rocking best you can. You'll be fighting the shock and you can test your shock at the same time. A worn shock could squeak as well.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
You can tell if it's the driveline/u-joints. Go slowly till it squeaks. While it is squeaking, try to visualize the tires. They are rotating slowly. The driveshaft will be turning 3.5 to 4 times faster than the tires. So you should be able to determine from that, is it a slower squeak which would be the tires/brakes, or a faster squeak which would be the u-joints. The u-joints are known to squeak when they get dry.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I was also thinking Ujoints.
Most of the time they make more noise when under power like taking off from a stop but can make noise just holding speed.
Most of the time I say it sounds like a bird chirping and the faster you go the faster the chirping.
When they get really bad they will vibrate sometimes not making noise and the drive shaft will fall out.
This can be bad if it is the front Ujoint as the shaft can dig in flipping the truck over.
If you find it only makes noise when going over bumps ro when you were pushing up & down on the fenders, get some WD-40 or the like.
Spray 1 rubber bushing at a time till the noise stops and that is the bushing that needs looking into.
You should have 2 in the center for the beams and the 2 radius arm bushings.
If they were replaced with Poly bushings someone did not use the Poly grease with them.
I have Poly bushings up front and used the grease and no noise from them at all.
Dave ----
Most of the time they make more noise when under power like taking off from a stop but can make noise just holding speed.
Most of the time I say it sounds like a bird chirping and the faster you go the faster the chirping.
When they get really bad they will vibrate sometimes not making noise and the drive shaft will fall out.
This can be bad if it is the front Ujoint as the shaft can dig in flipping the truck over.
If you find it only makes noise when going over bumps ro when you were pushing up & down on the fenders, get some WD-40 or the like.
Spray 1 rubber bushing at a time till the noise stops and that is the bushing that needs looking into.
You should have 2 in the center for the beams and the 2 radius arm bushings.
If they were replaced with Poly bushings someone did not use the Poly grease with them.
I have Poly bushings up front and used the grease and no noise from them at all.
Dave ----
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,243
You can tell if it's the driveline/u-joints. Go slowly till it squeaks. While it is squeaking, try to visualize the tires. They are rotating slowly. The driveshaft will be turning 3.5 to 4 times faster than the tires. So you should be able to determine from that, is it a slower squeak which would be the tires/brakes, or a faster squeak which would be the u-joints. The u-joints are known to squeak when they get dry.
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
If they are factory u-joints, they are sealed. Sometimes you can tell also if they are getting ready to go by carefully examining the area around the joint itself. If you see a orange powder around some the u-joint pieces, that is a sure sign it's on it's way out.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 49
From: Northern Kentucky
Hey y'all,
I got my first bullnose truck (1986 F-150 RWD 300 I6) a couple months back and have done a lot of repairs, but there's one thing that really bugs me... when I'm moving, there's a repeating squeak that sounds like it's coming from either the front driver side wheel or something nearby, and it gets louder and faster the faster the truck is moving irrespective of RPMs. I thought it might be the bearing(s) going dry or something so I went ahead and replaced the bearings and grease seals on both front wheels, adding plenty of new lithium grease. That didn't do anything to fix the noise, and I'm stumped. Putting on the brakes doesn't quiet it down at all, and all four pads are still good. Any ideas on what I should check next? Thank you!
-Isaac
I got my first bullnose truck (1986 F-150 RWD 300 I6) a couple months back and have done a lot of repairs, but there's one thing that really bugs me... when I'm moving, there's a repeating squeak that sounds like it's coming from either the front driver side wheel or something nearby, and it gets louder and faster the faster the truck is moving irrespective of RPMs. I thought it might be the bearing(s) going dry or something so I went ahead and replaced the bearings and grease seals on both front wheels, adding plenty of new lithium grease. That didn't do anything to fix the noise, and I'm stumped. Putting on the brakes doesn't quiet it down at all, and all four pads are still good. Any ideas on what I should check next? Thank you!
-Isaac
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,667
Likes: 1,159
From: Tolland, CT
Good thought, I have had that happen too, but I figured it out shortly after it happened, when working on the brakes.
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gjohn001
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