Front end squeaking

[Baker99]

(Might have posted this in the wrong thread the 1st time so I'm reposting it here)*
I have had a squeaking noise coming from the front end of my 99 ranger for quite sometime now but it has recently gotten worse and I want to get it fix but not quite sure what it is. At first I thought it would be the wheel bearings but after reading some threads it seems I would not have been able to make it this long without losing a wheel. It starts squeaking around 2-3mph and doesn't stop. Ball joints are 2 years old. Breaks are new, also breaking doesn't affect the noise. Truck has 170,000 miles, 4.0L V6, 4x4 w/ automatic hubs. Any help is appreciated.

 

[bmerr98]

I suspect I have had a similar squeak. Mine was right front. Never did figure out what was doing it, but between then and now I put manual hubs, rotors and pads on the front. Haven't noticed it lately. It didn't sound like the wear indicator on the pads. Wasn't scratchy enough. Just a squeak.

 

[JohnnyO]

Probably ball joints. I don't care if they are only two years old, they go bad quickly on late-models.

 

[Baker99]

Probably ball joints. I don't care if they are only two years old, they go bad quickly on late-models.

I understand what you mean, however, I do not believe the ball joints could be bad. I have only put ruffly 12,000 miles on the truck since I replaced the ball joints. The squeaking sound I'm referring to is a constant sound. The sound does not change pitch when turing or hitting bumps. Also, ball joints look good and rubber boots are intact.

 

[4x4junkie]

I'm not as familiar with the '99s as the earlier trucks, but I've seen this complaint pop up in the past, and it had to do with the front hub "excluder seals".

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8572r

There should be other posts too if you search the word "excluder".

If that's not it, then I would say start tearing into it and see what you find.
Bad bearings typically make a fairly loud grinding and/or humming noise (and changes sound in turns vs. going straight-ahead), so a "squeak" I think would be the seals.

P.S., I merged your two threads here. In the future, if you misplace your post, please ask as a moderator to move your post to the correct forum, anyone on staff will be happy to do so.

thanks.

 

[Baker99]

Thanks a lot. Judging by that thread I believe that is my problem. And will contact a mod next time.