faint squeak when driving

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Jul 9, 2009 | 08:29 PM

87 F-150 I6

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From: Parker, CO

faint squeak when driving

2+ weeks now I can hear a faint squeak coming from the left(I am not sure) side of the truck when driving 10 to 40 MPH. I cant really tell where its coming from but since I just replaced one front hub assembly and re greased the drivers side not 8 months ago, I am pretty sure that its not the front. I cant hear it when the windows are up or when I am going over 40 because of the road noise. Today I thought I could here a loud squeal and grinding noise so I rolled down my windows. I thought it was coming from my vehicle so I pulled over, but could not replicate the noise. Instead of driving on the highway I got a ride to work just in case it was going to get worse. I drove it home and cant get it to squeal/grind, just the normal faint squeak. I am not sure how to test the rear hubs to see if its the culprit, but will probably end up doing the rear hub seal replacement on Guzzel's web site to re-lube them. I was talking with a friend and he suggest that it might be a carrier barring going bad. I don't know how to test that idea, I don't even know how to service it. Any ideas or write ups that might help would be greatly appreciated.

Jul 9, 2009 | 08:44 PM

CampSpringsJohn

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From: Melbourne, Ky

Carrier bearing or u-joint would be my guess. If it was a rear hub squeaking, you wouldn't go but a few miles before the wheel and hub assembly would come off the truck. Unfortunately, there is no maintenance to the carrier bearing or the u-joints. Put the truck in neutral and block the wheels, and rock the driveshaft and look and feel for anything that may be loose. Something else you can do is put the rear axle up on jack stands and put the truck in gear and try to locate the squeal that way. If you do that, make damn sure the front wheels are chalked, and do not over speed the axle. Do not get under the truck with the wheels turning either. Something else you could do is get somebody to drive it in a parking lot and while walking beside it, you might be able to locate the problem that way.

It could also be the brakes.

Jul 9, 2009 | 08:51 PM

87 F-150 I6

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From: Parker, CO

I also thought breaks. but the noise dose not change when breaking.

Jul 9, 2009 | 08:55 PM

CampSpringsJohn

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From: Melbourne, Ky

If it's the emergency brakes, hitting the brake pedal doesn't affect them. The emergency brake pedal is used to work them.

Jul 9, 2009 | 08:55 PM

amthatiam

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From: South East PA.

Another thing to check are the leaf spring spacers, little white plastic "waffers" at the ends of the leaf springs in the front, they keep the springs from rubbing together when flexing. They wear thru. the squeak from them drove me nuts till I found it.

Dan