Squeaking Rear End, Please Help?!

[98v6stang101]

I have a 1998 Ford Mustang with a 3.8L V6, about 100k miles

It has developed a squeaking sound coming from the rear passenger side, with the squeak frequency matching the wheel speed.

Thought it was the rear bearing, but replacing it only minorly reduced the sound level...

What else could it be?

 

[wmburns]

What did the roller surface on the half shaft look like (clean and smooth)?

A squeak is not usually associated with wheel bearings. Normally this is a "growl".

A squeak would normally be associated with suspension components.

Check the slid pins on the rear brakes. They are bad about retaining moisture and Galling to the bracket. This prevents the brakes from adjusting and releasing like they should. Clean and grease the pins with high temperature silcone grease made for brake use.

 

[98v6stang101]

RE:

Shaft looked normal... the old bearing was burnt though.

 

[MustangLX-5.0]

Check the drivers side if you can. If the bearing was burnt, then chances are sticking brake calipers could've been the culprit. I had a sticking caliper, actually both rears but the pass side was worse. It cooked up the rotors pretty good. Over hauled the rear brakes, but I have had a squeak that goes with wheel speed that comes and goes, Tend to hear it more often on colder days or early in the morning sometimes. Suspect cooked up wheel bearing. It's not loud, but is noticeable and sounds like a very light whistling sound.

Check your rear brakes. Make sure the calipers aren't sticking. Are the rotors real shiny looking? If they are then the caliper is most likely sticking and the brakes are dragging a little.