I had an annoying squeak sometimes a squeal coming from the front left brake rotor. I replaced the brakes but it was still there. Upon further investigation, I found that the squeal was caused by the rubber seal that is on the back of the rotor. It seemed like there was an accumulation of brake dust or something similar on the rubber seal. I fixed it by cleaning it and greasing the seal with synthetic waterproof grease but I fear it may come back again.
Anyone else had this problem?

 

I've had the same type of squeak coming from the front left wheel area also. Couldn't for the life of me find it, it's mostly there for the first 2 miles or so of driving then slowly it goes away. I'm going to check the rubber seal also and see if that's where it's coming from.

Thanks for the info.

 

 

Yeah that is where it's at. I was pretty frustrated because I
did the brakes figuring that would fix it and it didn't so I bought
even softer pads and that didn't help either. Finally I greased the seal behind the rotor and that did it. I can't figure out how it's rubbing.

BTW Napa has Ceramix pads that are pricey but very quiet and very low dusting. They seem to stop better too and don't wear out the rotors.
I just put some on my wife's Jeep and it decreased her stopping distances by several feet.

 

I am having a similar problem. A strange squeaking noise comming from the left front tire.

I found the solution to be the same as described above. The inner bearing seal was rubbing on the rubber dust boot. It is strange how that little boot can make so much noise, but it was. I think the seal could have worked out a little bit on one side. I just took off the caliper and you can get a screw driver in there to lube up the boot a bit and push it on better if neede.

 

I had the same problem on my 85 bronco, started as a sqeek, then went to an intermidiate grind, then a clapping noise, turns out my whole knuckle was going bad due to a worn out universal joint. Maybe same problem... maybe not?

 

^^ probably not. I have had the same noise as described from the first post back in '02, that same seal. i've heard it several times over the past couple years, and it always seems to go away when the weather gets colder or i decide to tear down the hubs and grease it up again.