Rubbery Squeak in front left wheel (2 Viewers)

[lowtoe]

Hey folks,

Looking for some advice on what this squeak might be. Here's some of the characteristics of the squeak:

• Only starts after driving for 5+ miles
• Only squeaks from 0-5 mph
• Braking does not affect it
• Turning doesn't really affect it either
• It goes away probably 5 minutes after I park

It seems like a really rubbery squeak so replaced my brakes but it's still there. My wheel bearings also have like < 5k miles on them. Please see the video of the noise below.



Any guesses, diagnostic advice, etc would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TexLexican]

How are you making it squeak?

 

[lowtoe]

How are you making it squeak?

Rotating the tire back and forth. I had it jacked up after I got back from driving it

 

[TexLexican]

Spray some wd-40 where the CV meets the hub flange to see if the squeak goes away. I wonder if the dust cover is bent and rubbing on the hub…

 

[lowtoe]

Tried your suggestion but it didn't work :/

wonder if the dust cover is bent and rubbing on the hub…

It sounds really rubbery rather than metallic. But I'm open to more suggestions on what to try. It's driving me crazy!

 

[wthomp10]

It could be your spindle bearing. I have a similar squeak that I replicate by spinning the wheels. I was able to pop off the cv a little and place some grease on the spindle. That helped for a couple of days.

SLEE makes a Spindle Grease tool in order to lube up the bearing (SLEE - Spindle Grease Tool - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sok1037/ ). You can DIY a similar tool or get a needle attachment for your grease gun to access the bearing from the back of the dust shield. I plan to use SLEE's tool today, Ill let you know if it solves the problem.

 

[lowtoe]

It could be your spindle bearing. I have a similar squeak that I replicate by spinning the wheels. I was able to pop off the cv a little and place some grease on the spindle. That helped for a couple of days.

SLEE makes a Spindle Grease tool in order to lube up the bearing (SLEE - Spindle Grease Tool - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sok1037/ ). You can DIY a similar tool or get a needle attachment for your grease gun to access the bearing from the back of the dust shield. I plan to use SLEE's tool today, Ill let you know if it solves the problem.

Great, tyvm for your reply! And yes please do let me know if it helps your problem.

 

[wthomp10]

Great, tyvm for your reply! And yes please do let me know if it helps your problem.

I was able to grease it yesterday. Pretty simple to do and seems to have stopped the noise I was hearing. But it may have been hiding other issues though because I am hearing new sounds which are probably wheel bearing noises. I am going to fully pull it apart and inspect/replace the bearings as needed as well as the spindle.

I suggest greasing the spindle but inspect your wheel bearings too.

 

[lowtoe]

I was able to grease it yesterday. Pretty simple to do and seems to have stopped the noise I was hearing. But it may have been hiding other issues though because I am hearing new sounds which are probably wheel bearing noises. I am going to fully pull it apart and inspect/replace the bearings as needed as well as the spindle.

I suggest greasing the spindle but inspect your wheel bearings too.

Aw yeah, that'll happen! I have new wheel bearings up front, so I'm hoping my squeaking is the spindle bearing like you said.

Would you recommend that greasing tool from SLEE? I might buy it today if so.

Thanks again for the replies

 

[wthomp10]

The SLEE tool takes the guess work out of doing the greasing. I figure I am keeping the truck for a while so will end up using it a few times which justified the price. I do recommend it but the shipping costs were almost as much as the tool itself!

I tried this How-To Video DIY Spindle bearing greasing tool w/o touching wheel bearing preload - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-video-diy-spindle-bearing-greasing-tool-w-o-touching-wheel-bearing-preload.997051/ but was having a difficult time getting the tool clamped in place with the clamps I currently own. I could have bought better clamps and made it work but decided to just get the SLEE tool instead. The benefit with this approach is you do not have to remove the large nut holding the bearings in place. The SLEE tool requires the nut to be removed and then you'll need to check the wheel bearing preload once re-installed.

 

[lowtoe]

The SLEE tool takes the guess work out of doing the greasing. I figure I am keeping the truck for a while so will end up using it a few times which justified the price. I do recommend it but the shipping costs were almost as much as the tool itself!

I tried this How-To Video DIY Spindle bearing greasing tool w/o touching wheel bearing preload - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/how-to-video-diy-spindle-bearing-greasing-tool-w-o-touching-wheel-bearing-preload.997051/ but was having a difficult time getting the tool clamped in place with the clamps I currently own. I could have bought better clamps and made it work but decided to just get the SLEE tool instead. The benefit with this approach is you do not have to remove the large nut holding the bearings in place. The SLEE tool requires the nut to be removed and then you'll need to check the wheel bearing preload once re-installed.

View attachment 3750941

Yeah good point, I don't plan on selling my 100 series, so I think I might as well get this tool. I also don't have clamps like that; they're kinda pricey themselves!

 

[2001LC]

If I see what I think I'm see. Do a wheel bearing service ASAP.

 

[2001LC]

I've heard that sound with bad ball joints. Aslo bad shock bushing.

 

[lowtoe]

If I see what I think I'm see. Do a wheel bearing service ASAP.

I did my wheel bearings probably 4k miles ago, and I really don't have any 12/6 or 9/3 play in the wheel, but I'll double check to be sure

 

[2001LC]

I did my wheel bearings probably 4k miles ago, and I really don't have any 12/6 or 9/3 play in the wheel, but I'll double check to be sure

Did squeak start after you did wheel bearing service.

Looking at your video. I see wheel/tire moving a lot, but knuckle/brake dust shield stationary.
I can not see wheel hub itself. So either wheel hub loose (wheel bearings) or lug bolt very very loose.

 

[lowtoe]

Did squeak start after you did wheel bearing service.

Looking at your video. I see wheel/tire moving a lot, but knuckle/brake dust shield stationary.
I can not see wheel hub itself. So either wheel hub loose (wheel bearings) or lug bolt very very loose.

haha yeahhh honestly it started like, 6 months after I did my wheel bearings. It was my first time doing wheel bearings so hopefully I didn't mess them up

I've since adjusted the preload to see if that'd help, but it didn't

 

[wthomp10]

haha yeahhh honestly it started like, 6 months after I did my wheel bearings. It was my first time doing wheel bearings so hopefully I didn't mess them up

I've since adjusted the preload to see if that'd help, but it didn't

Another reason for the spindle bearing. If you didn't grease it properly during the wheel bearings, it could have not received enough grease and causing the sound. If you go the SLEE tool route, you can always pull your wheel bearings to inspect closely to see how they have faired since you did the job since you'll be pretty close to being able to remove everything.

 

[lowtoe]

Another reason for the spindle bearing. If you didn't grease it properly during the wheel bearings, it could have not received enough grease and causing the sound. If you go the SLEE tool route, you can always pull your wheel bearings to inspect closely to see how they have faired since you did the job since you'll be pretty close to being able to remove everything.

I definitely could have not greased it properly. I do most of my own work on my 100 but I'm still learning!

I think I will take your advice and buy that tool. It is $77 after shipping/taxes but if it helps with the squeaking and longevity of my bearings, it's probably worth it (at least that's how I'll justify the decision )

 

[2001LC]

Really that sound, is most like ball joint (LWR, Upper or TRE ball end) and or shock bushing/bolt. Can also be LCA bushing(s)

The wheel if that loose and you did set preload properly (fish scale). Is indication they loosened after service. I see happen for a few reasons:
1) Lock washer. Either reused and failed. Or tabs not locked properly (one tab, not bent over adjusting nut and one over lock nut.).
2) Seal in back of wheel hub installed, lip out. This result in metal of seal, rubbing on back of spindle (steering knuckle). The protruding metal lip of seal, is in contact with knuckle, gives false preload reading. Then metal wears and suddenly wheel hub/bearing are supper loose.




Hub seal in backward

Correct install of hub seal, with flat side of seal out and flush with hub. BTW: Do not hit wheel hub with steel harmer, ever or anywhere.

Setting breakaway preload:

 

[lowtoe]

Really that sound, is most like ball joint (LWR, Upper or TRE ball end) and or shock bushing/bolt. Can also be LCA bushing(s)

The wheel if that loose and you did set preload properly (fish scale). Is indication they loosened after service. I see happen for a few reasons:
1) Lock washer. Either reused and failed. Or tabs not locked properly (one tab, not bent over adjusting nut and one over lock nut.).
2) Seal in back of wheel hub installed, lip out. This result in metal of seal, rubbing on back of spindle (steering knuckle). The protruding metal lip of seal, is in contact with knuckle, gives false preload reading. Then metal wears and suddenly wheel hub/bearing are supper loose.




Hub seal in backwardView attachment 3751093View attachment 3751087View attachment 3751086

Correct install of hub seal, with flat side of seal out and flush with hub. BTW: Do not hit wheel hub with steel harmer, ever or anywhere.

View attachment 3751094
Setting breakaway preload:

It doesn't seem like a ball joint to me tbh, as it only happens when the wheel is rotating; the ball joints aren't moving at all.

As far as the hub seal and lock washer, I could see myself installing that incorrectly or not perfectly. I'll double check those when I disassemble the hub again.

I did recheck the preload recently, and I think it's good, but I'll be sure to set it to LCFSM spec

Thanks so much for your reply, I appreciate all the help I can get!