Tracking down a suspension squeal

[gsbarry]

I'm having a tough time diagnosing a suspension squeal b/c it's only audible when in motion. It only presents itself on moderate sweeping right turns (not your regular intersection right turn or very gentle right turns - if that makes sense). Vehicle speed range is 15-30 MPH w/o brakes applied, the noise seems to be loudest at the crest of the turn (i.e. greatest lateral load), but has not gotten noticeably worse over time - I've noticed it here and there for over a year , and it's past time to take care of this annoyance.

My current theory is the driver's front wheel bearing, but I'm not inclined to replace the assembly on a whim as it's a little pricey (~$100 for Timken). I'm thinking it could possibly be a failing shock absorber (~ 4 yrs old). I previously thought it may have been the 5th shock, but removing it had no effect. Has anyone else experienced the same kind of noise? Also, is it possible to grease the front bearings on this gen ('97 4wd) sploder? My reading of other threads was no - due to the bearing not being removable - but want to check w/ others.

Unrelated to this issue, I've replaced almost every other component of the suspension in recent history. The list is: upper and lower control arms, tie rods, brakes, front and rear sway bar bushings, shocks, CV joints, rear wheel bearings. All greaseable joints are greased regularly.

 

[dblack1140]

I'm having the same problem with my 2002. I have no idea, I thought it was the lower control arm, but after reading your post, it makes me think it's something else. :/

 

[gsbarry]

Solved

The noise seems to have been cured, though somewhat inadvertently. I was correcting another symptom - popping noise when turning right at parking speeds - by replacing the right inner tie rod (many others report ball joints causing popping noises, but mine had already been done - the tie rod has a non-serviceable ball joint as well though). I had done the outer tie rods before, but not the inners. I'm surprised that was the culprit, I was thinking that the presence of the noise only on moderate turns was due to body roll and or weight transfer, but that apparently was misguided. Hope this helps someone out there.