inconsistant squeaky front end

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Aug 13, 2005 | 09:41 PM

amm888

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From: Woodland Hills

inconsistant squeaky front end

the first troubles with my new (used) expy...97 4x4 xlt 82k...front end just started squeaking today, rather loud at times, and then stopped. it's not a constant squeak, rather on off (like a bad rocking chair) - kinda bird-like. sounded like it was coming from both sides (around the front wheels), though it may have just been the passenger side. the sound is uneffected by braking and actually stopped at one point during and after making a left turn. it had been persistant during straight driving before that.

bearings? pitman arm (though it doesn't seem to correlate WITH turning)? plastic hub thingy? i did a little search and it seems like one of these could be the likely culprit.

any suggestions on how to pinpoint and solve the problem?

ALSO, i'm supposed to be going on a little trip with the expy mon-wed, about 150 miles driving each way - is this a problem i can safely put-off till i get back or do i need to try and fix it tomorrow?

any and all suggestions are appreciated,
alex

Aug 14, 2005 | 11:11 AM

High_Horse

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From: Orlando, Fla

Sounds like a wheel bearing, do you have any light fluttering in the steering wheel?

This may seem odd for what your describing, but check the tensioner for the unibelt also.

Aug 14, 2005 | 01:25 PM

amm888

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From: Woodland Hills

thanks for the reply high horse - i haven't felt any difference in the steering wheel, what's the unibelt?

i just took her for a test drive to try and further isolate the noise, but now she's back to normal (and she was pulse-squeaking rather loudly at one point yesterday) can't here a thing. so i guess i'll just play it by ear for now and repost if/when the noise reoccurs.

Last edited by amm888; Aug 14, 2005 at 01:25 PM. Reason: misstype

Aug 14, 2005 | 10:24 PM

High_Horse

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From: Orlando, Fla

Unibelt...meaning-one belt or otherwise known as the serpentine belt, that silly little thing that runs all those whooee wheels on the front of the motor.....lol....but seriously the tensioner is known to make noise and variently at that. Its the piece you put the 1/2" ratchet into to remove the serpentine. The wheel will wear and squeal usually at first start up, but it will do it at any point. This is also the cheapest of the possibilities also.