Squeaky Wheels.....any ideas why????

[creedexplorer]

I am not sure if I will get flamed for posting this, but since everyone here probably either own or love explorers, I thought I might try! Lately my Explorer's front right wheel has been squeaking rather loudly. It only does it while I am actually driving (not idle or braking). It really doesnt matter how fast I go, but during the times that the squeaking is not "continuous" I notice a small pop sound and a loud squeak. It also does it when I hit bumps (big and small). I have noticed since I bought it that it ride very rough, compared to even my dad's old Bronco (even though he swears up and down that since it is an suv, it doesnt ride as smooth as a car). He mentioned to me that it could possibly be the wheel bearings! I don't know much about vehicles rolleyes: being a female). Hopefully someone here could give me a few ideas as to what the problem might be, and what I will be forking out to fix it!
I just had four new tires put on (if that info helps at all).

Also, I dont know if all Explorer are equipped with just a small hubcap that covers just the lug nuts, but if so, has anyone actually had one come off on its own. I have had 2 go missing, but when trying to take the others off, they dont seem as though they could come off as easily as regular size hubcaps. Plus, do lug nuts just come off too. I dont know if these things are just coming off, or if someone has actually stolen or taking them off.

Anyhow, I will end it there, any help would be wonderful and greatly appreciated!

 

[bentley]

your dad is correct. Had the same squeaking problem on my X. Had the bearings repacked and that fixed it. It's a pretty cheap fix. dont know exactly how much because i had other brake work done at the same time.

BTY: welcome to the site

 

[creedexplorer]

So having them replaced is pretty cheap? He was telling me you had to have them replaced! As long as whatever it is does not cost much. BTW, once the squeaking starts, how long should you risk driving it before having it fixed, and also, what can happen if you dont have it fixed before it goes out?

 

[brendan]

Well, my wheel bearings went bad and I continued to drive for, say 4 months after I started to hear the squeaking and then one day on the highway my wheel fell off!!

So that's what can happen if they go real bad. Mine ended up loosening the hub nut and pulled everything off going highway speed. Thankfully it only pulled out so the tire was at a 45degree angle w/the ground.

WORD FOR THE WISE, Fix them now, if you didn't already!

 

[Jason_25]

If it is, in fact, the wheel bearing it will be an expensive fix as on the 4x4 SLA trucks, the hub and wheel bearing are one assembly and cost about 300 per side from Ford. Jack that side up and rotate the wheel and see where it's coming from. If you can confirm it's the wheel bearing, I have heard that you can grease it (supposedly a "sealed" unit) by removing the ABS sensor and squirting grease down into the hole.