Left Front Hub Noise

[Walt75]

Hi Guys

I was driving my 92 explorer today. I was driving 20 to 25 mph and I heard a squeaking noise. I raised the left side up pulled on the top and bottom of tire and it is loose. The noise went away for a little while and now its back. When I pulled on the tire left and right it was tight. Do you guys think my wheel bearing are bad?


Thank You
Walter

 

[Maniak]

If you get play up/down AND left/right it would be wheel bearing. Since you only get play up/down it is more likely ball joints.

~Mark

 

[Walt75]

Hi
Then can ball joints make a squeaking noise? How can I tell if the ball joints are bad?

Thank you

 

[Anime]

The lower ball joints on these tend to go, especially if they are original.

Ball joints don't usually squeak though, they tend to make a clunk, often during braking or suspension travel, very similar to radius arm bushing noise.

You can visually see the knuckle move sideways with the loose ball joint, either by having someone else pull on the lower part of the tire with the front end raised up, or by using a long metal pole or something strong enough to lift up on the tire from the front and pulling up on it.

If the ball joints are bad it's best to do both sides, you can do just the lower ones but better to do all four when everything is apart.

I would guess that a squeak is something bearing related. You might have bearings that weren't maintained well and are now damaged from not having enough grease.

Has the noise come back or have you heard it since? Not saying the ball joints aren't bad anyway, but sometimes if you hear a noise on the road and never hear it again it might be something else, either someone elses car or something not related to your vehicle.

Might also check the brakes, suspension, and bushings, as those would seem likely sources of squeaking when driving as well.

 

[Walt75]

Hi Guys

I replaced the wheel bearings. The old ones were wore out. No more noise.

Thank You
Walter