2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Whos driving who?- squeak

[jtisdale]

Whos driving who?

When I am driving my truck at slower speeds, I hear a loud squeak thats driving me nuts. It doesnt seem to matter if I am turning, or not. It goes away with light brake pedal pressure.

I jacked up the truck to find out where I was coming from, and it seems to be the front left. When I rotated that wheel, I couldnt duplicate the squeak, but I did notice it was slightly rougher sounding (like a brake dragging) and it had a slight notchy feeling to it. There seemed to be no lateral movement, and everything appeared tight it that respect. I would have tore it down, but time didnt permit.

My guesses are a wheel bearing getting dry, an axle joint going bad, or the pad/rotor dragging or being worn. I have 27700 miles. I plan on tearing into it tomorrow, but in the mean time...

Any tips or hints or ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Joe G.]

You might want to try this to determine if it's a bearing or axle U-joint.



Put it on axle stands. Turn the wheel to see what it sounds and feels like. Then with the wheels hard left and then right turn the wheel and see if there is a difference. If it changes with the turn position then it's probably a U-joint.

 

[KFroese]

it sounds like the warning sensor on the brake pads..... at 27,000 mi are they the origional pads? 9 times out of 10 if you hear a noise and it goes away when you hit the brakes then the problem is in the brakes.

 

[RBSOB]

Brake squeek!!! Do a search on it, many have it including my '01. Cold weather for 5 months and I thought it was gone but with temps back up in the 50-60 range... its baaaack. Left front, drives you crazy at low speeds. I need to get to mine soon, the fix is supposed to be removing the pads cleaning up and lubing somehow. I need to search it again myself! Let us know if you cure it. Jim G.

 

[jtisdale]

Yep, the pads...

But, they werent worn out. I took the fronts apart and they look like new yet. Then I took the backs out, and they also looked like new. However, upon further inspection, I noticed the lining was separating from the back of the pad. I hated to replace them, but I cant deal with a squeak. I called 10 places including 2 dealerships, and nobody had them. Amianthus finally found me a set in LaCrosse.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Jim,



We have a member out west(I forgot his name) but he sells Carbomet bads for our trucks, I think they were $45 a set when I bought mine. Maybe someone will remember his name for me.



Later, Rob



EDIT: ok, I remembered his name, Sam Peterson, but I don't have his number, sorry.

 

[csevers]

Maybe Sam Peterson?

I just ordered a set for the front since lossing my pac I will need front brakes before 100k.



Craig

 

[terrywerm]

Old trick - not sure if it really works though....

I had the same problem on my 01. 5, where the front brakes would squeak. At first the left side did it, but then quit. Now the right side is doing it. Squeak occurs from about 5 MPH up to about 30 MPH, going straight or turning, and quits as soon as you touch the brakes.



I first removed the pads on the right side, cleaned them up, smeared a thin film of silicone on the backing plate and let it dry. Also noticed that one of the pads was separating from the backing plate just a bit, and that the inner pad was worn more than the outer (normal). Reinstalled the pads, and drove it... ... same problem was back after about a day or so.



Stumbled on an old trick and thought I would give it a try: Removed the pads, cleaned off the silly stuff, then applied a piece of duct tape to the backing plate on the pad, nice and flat, no wrinkles. Trimmed it to the shape of the backing pad with a knife, then reinstalled the pads. No more squeak, not even on dusty gravel roads!



It stayed quiet for about a week when we got some rainy weather, which brought the squeak back while the humidity was high and the roads were wet. Now that things are drying out, the squeak is going away again.



56000 on the clock, original pads, and there is plenty of lining left, they would easily make it to 70,000 or so, but I have obtained a new set and will replace them in the next few weeks anyway, prior to our trip out west in June.

 

[tractorface]

Wow Same problem here

Amazing what you come across on TDR. I have the same exact problem. I went through the front end and it is fine. I think it is the brakes but since they look real good I quit worrying about it. Does suck at low speed with the window down though. I am keeping my eye on this thread hoping for a fix. BTW My truck has 103,000 miles on it.



Every time I have a noise or a problem I find out 10 others have the same thing and are way ahead of me on fixing it