chirping from rear stumped on this one! ideas

[v8mouse]

My 04 xlt has a chirping like a small bird or mouse coming from the rear of the truck!!!!!!! It happens about every minute to two minutes not constant and not depending on speed.!??????? could be a brake issue? I am stumped. I have been doing all my own work on my cars for 30 years now so I know my way around and can figure most things out but not this one, Anyone have anyting like this happen to there car? It is not an animal. has ben going on for months now!
Thanks for any help you can offer!
Mick

 

[xlt03]

Do you have rear A/C? The condensor is in left rear quarter, could you be hearing that noise? Is noise there with vehicle on or off and stationary or moving? Things that pop into my mind are: loose jack, rear hatch or rear hatch glass not engaging the striker tightly, rear blower from rear A/C, loose crossbar from roof rack.

 

[v8mouse]

Thanks xlt03 I do not have rear ac or roof racks but will check your other ideas !!! thanks for the input, It only happens when the car is in motion, I am stumped, smooth roads or rough it will happen almost like clockwork, not a clank but a chirp? Any one have any ideas I will love to hear them
Thanks again

 

[mr2fix2it]

I have seen alot of rear emergency brakes come apart on these its possible that this is your problem the shoes are bonded this comes apart and rotates inside disk you just have to pull off rear disks and shoes will fall out if this is your problem

 

[Minivek]

Hey V8,

Same thing happened to me, then it sorta became a squeal/galling metal sound instead. My left side rear wheel bearing was completely toast. Sometimes I could provoke it a bit by swerving at slow speeds. I had to remove the caliper in order for the loose (real loose) bearing to have noticible play. With the caliper on the rotor is tightly held on and no play was visible in the bearing.


Check those rear bearings fast! Mine was scary, falling apart, no rollers inside loose.

 

[v8mouse]

awesome answers! Thanks Minivek. and mr2fix2 it I will check the rear wheel bearing tomorrow along with the rear e-brakes. This site is a huge help!! The people here are a class act

 

[hunterjamison]

Please follow up on this one! I have a bird stuck somewhere too. It only chirps every 10 trips or so, and know I can never pinpoint where its from until its too late!

 

[03XLT]

I had the same chirping last October. It would only present itself on cooler mornings, and go away after driving a few miles. I swore it was brakes, but it was the left rear bearing. I only replaced the driver's side because of cost ($425), and now the passenger side is groaning. I will be getting that side replaced today, along with new tires. Guess I'll have to get cheaper tires to offset some of the bearing cost. I love my Michelelin CT's, but at $165 each, the General Grabber HTS is looking mighty nice. I've read great reviews, and my brother in-law has them on his 2002 XLT. We'll see if they can live up to expectations!