I've got a squeaky Bronco. I don't think that there is anything wrong, it's just an annoyance. The problem is that it is basically impossible for me to find the squeak without hanging under the chassis while someone accelerates to 30 mph and I ain't doing that (I'd probably wind up in the Darwin awards like the last guy who tried that). So I am hoping that by describing the symptoms somebody might recognize the squeak.

First of all, the squeak -seems- to be coming more or less from the passenger side front. It's hard to tell but it seems to come from around there more than other places, so let's assume that it's in that quadrant of the truck. Second, it squeaks mostly when the truck is cold and pretty much goes away when it warms up. However, I have heard it when warm. It's just not nearly as much or as often. It does not seem like the belt. The entire belt tensioner assembly is brand new and the belt is relatively new. And it does not really sound like the belt although I am not ruling anything out. Third, I really cannot tell if it is an engine squeak or a chassis squeak. I am pretty sure that it is a chassis squeak but I have heard it when idling a few times. Also, the time that I usually hear the squeak the most is when under light acceleration at around 15-25 mph, if that tells you anything. It does not appear to be related to hitting bumps or railroad tracks etc., for example it does not constantly squeak every time I hit a bump. But then, sometimes it does. So you can see why I am frustrated. Also, sometimes when I shut the passenger side door I can hear a tiny bit of the same squeak. So I am pretty sure that it is a chassis squeak and that it is somehow related to engine frequency under light loads which is why it squeaks under light acceleration. I did notice that when it squeaks under the acceleration, if I let off the gas it stops immediately. And I suspect something with rubber, which is why it is worse when cold. But these are just educated guesses.

It does not seem to be related to brakes or wheel bearings etc. It's not that type of squeak and not nearly consistent enough to be wheel related. I'm pretty sure of this, based on years of experience. But like I said I am not ruling anything out.

A detailed description to be sure, but I've had plenty of time to drive and notice these things. It's been doing this for at least a year. I've just gotten tired of it. All belt driven accessories have been replaced for various reasons over the past few years. And I recently went underneath the truck and used a whole can of silicone penetrating lube and liberally sprayed every possible thing that could move or pivot and every single rubber bushing including the body mounts etc. I am starting to suspect a somewhat loose body panel but everything seems tight and factory.

Any ideas? It's not really a problem but it can be annoying, especially on a nice quiet mountain cruise or something.

 

I dont know, but for me its very hard to diagnose a sound without hearing it for myself.

I guess if I had to take a guess..........I would look at the radius arm bushings, I would move my exhaust system around a bit to see if I could duplicate the squeak that way, or Take a look at the left rear shock and see if the parking brake cable is rubbing on it???

Did you try letting someone else drive and have the truck make the sound while you are listening out the pass window?

Other than that I dont know what to tell you.

 

i had the same thing happen with my bronco...in the same area where you are describing, and under the same conditions...turned out that the factory mounted bottle jack wasn't fastened down completely, causing it to make a squeaking noise when it finally wore through the engine compartment paint...might be a possability, check it out...

 

I Dont think it can be a chassis squeak if you have heard it when the truck is just sitting at idle.
I dont think simple engine vibration can cause a chassis squeak.
But you also have heard the squeak with the motor off right ?
Could it be in your interior ?
Sounds rpm related see if when its cold you can cause the squeak while its at idle by increasing rpm in netural.
This is a real good idea see if you can find a freeway wall to drive next to.
If its in the inside of the truck you can track it down when someone else is driving it also.
My 96 had a squeak had someone else drive it found it to be the plastic part on the front window piller.

 

I have heard it once or twice at idle but it still seemed like a chassis noise. Not to mention that I am pretty sure that I heard the same squeak before, when closing the passenger side door. When the door shut it made whatever is squeaking squeak, just for a brief hald second but enough to give me a clue.

I will check the bottle jack, it sure sounds like what that would probably sound like and I can't say that I've paid any attention to that jack for years. It may be loose or wearing through the paint as he suggested. I will tighten it before heading to work and also spray it with some oil. Hopefully that's all it is. I'll let you guys know. Meanwhile all suggestions are appreciated.

 

I had a similar problem , only on the drivers side. If I pulled the door in or put pressure against the door while it was making its chirp, it went away. My lower door hinge on that side was no good. After replacing drivers side door hinges, the noise went away. Hope this helps, Good Luck

 

It doesn't take much to get a bushing to squeak. Just the weight of someone in a seat could put just enough pressure on a bushing to start it squeaking. But my first thought is what Streetgang already said...radius arm bushings. One way to find out is put a little grease on them where they contact metal. If it helps..great! if not, then that bushing won't squeak in the future anyway. Check other bushings too.

 

I soaked every bushing with teflon penetrating lubricant so I don't think that it's them. It should have gone away, at least temporarily. It's really screwy. This morning it did not do it at all. I think that it is something that is -barely-squeaking if you know what I mean. I will be checking the bottle jack and door hinges. The hinges seem fine but i've never lubricated them or anything. I would think that I would hear it more inside if it was the door hinge though. But I will check and oil them. Keep the good ideas coming! I didn't have time this morning to check the bottle jack, was running late.

 

ok i had a squeak that was at low speads
i have a 93 bronco 5.8 check the EBRAKE CABLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE
right by the shock it rubs and squeaks

good luck
i moved the cable no i have no squeak

 

I had a squeek that sounded like a dry bushing. It would do it mainly when it was below 50 degrees outside.
After it was driven for a while it would quiet down some. I could also get it to make the noise sometimes by pushing down on the front bumper hard or even when I was getting in the bronco to drive it.
It wound up being two of my four front shocks were toasted.

 

Possibly a loose heat shield on the exhaust? My 94 had an intermittent squeaky/rattly noise from the passenger front that I couldn't find, one day the heat shield fell off and the noise went with it.

 

What broncobob said, I'd look at the heat shields.