Squeak, Squeak, Squeak, Squeak....

Not a hundred different things - just an axle/wheel bearing

Do u have polyurethane bushings in the rear. Maybe, it is them squeaking. Try greasing them if u can. If u tighten them down with load on the suspension it wont be as bad, the squeak i mean. My b/f is a suspension mechanic at a dodge dealer he says load on the suspension helps the squeek problem.

NosPony said:

Do u have polyurethane bushings in the rear. Maybe, it is them squeaking. Try greasing them if u can. If u tighten them down with load on the suspension it wont be as bad, the squeak i mean. My b/f is a suspension mechanic at a dodge dealer he says load on the suspension helps the squeek problem.

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True also. But if indeed it is related to speed, like 90qtrhorse says, then it must be something in full sync with the rotation of what moves during the occuring of an event. In this case, the faster you travel, the faster the rear wheels are going to spin. The only things that cause a squeek noise is a worn-out bearing. So there are the carrier bearings and the wheel bearings back there. However, I would blame the wheel bearing because it is what usually goes out.

Just FYI, I replaced an axle bearing on an 89 f150 that had a sound that sped up with speed. Almost like a bird chirp, excpet very grating. This was an extreme case whereas the entire bearing was destroyed: rollers missing, race badly torn up, and the cage was beyond discard. so basically because there was the lack of a bearing, the axle decided to substitute and was destroyed at this point as well. This basically is what happens if you let it go completely. Nonetheless, the wheel bearings are what usually go almost everytime first without fail.

Now on a side note, if it were something like polyurethane bushings, they would squeek whenever the suspension occured jounce and rebound.

generally a wheel bearing will go south very quickly. the wheel can start to hop with every few revolutions - not cool.

bad U-joint? the can rust from the inside out and the corrosion inside allows it to squeak as it articulates, but the outside of it looks fine.

not the TOB right (pushing the clutch in slightly does not help the problem?).

good luck.

90Qtrhorse said:

Yeah I was kind of thinking wheel bearings or u-joints. I had the rear gears changed out last year & the shop told me they replaced the wheel bearings. Is this something that can be re-greased or do I need to replace the bearings all togeather?
SIDE NOTE* How do you check the u-joints?

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to check u joints for slop: grab each side of the joint and twist and pull against eachother (like trying to give the joint a rugburn [remember when you were in 1st grade?]). i have had this test pass fine but the joints were rusted inside (inside the u joint caps are a ton of needle bearings).

some joints have a grease fitting on them (zerk fitting). a lot dont. you can rotate the shaft to see if yours does, but greasing might not work - might be too late.

doing joints is pretty easy. be sure to mark EVERY relative position before you split something (so each shaft half and the shaft itself can be indexed to its original position before you started).

good luck.

OK,

From experience! If you have drum brakes, make sure the shoe is not rubbing by backing them out or turning the drums. If you have rear disks (SN95+) One may be warped, just buy a new one. I WOULD check that first by jacking up the car so only one wheel can spin, have someone drive while you listen, and havve him touch the brakes or let them run free. I really doubt that it is a bad bearing.


MY OPINION!!!!!!!!!!! FROM EXPERIENCE.


CB