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Chirping in the rear


newnthused

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My '89 2.9l is chirping/squeaking like heck. It sounds like it's coming from the rear driver side, although it may be both sides. The chirp will start out slow as the truck gets rolling and increase as the speed increases. It's the loudest in first gear. It'll be about three chirps per second at 10mph. By the time I'm at a higher speed, either the chirp goes away or it just becomes one succinct ring that is drowned out by the sound of the truck.

If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great. I'm thinking it's the wheel bearing.
 


Lefty

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Maybe the rear brake(s)?
 

newnthused

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Maybe the rear brake(s)?
Would I get this sound from rear drum brakes on a 2WD? The rear brakes work fine while going in reverse. The parking brake doesn't work at all. I could probably use a brake job though.
 

Lefty

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There's something you could try. Put your foot on the brake next time you hear the sound. If it goes away, then it is the brakes. They are not releasing all the way. If so, get them fixed soon.
 

newnthused

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There's something you could try. Put your foot on the brake next time you hear the sound. If it goes away, then it is the brakes. They are not releasing all the way. If so, get them fixed soon.
The sound is only happening when I'm moving forward. So if I hit the brakes it will stop because the wheels aren't moving.
 

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The sound is only happening when I'm moving forward. So if I hit the brakes it will stop because the wheels aren't moving.
You don't have to press them hard enough to stop. Just enough pressure to see if it's just touching the drum or rotor. Just rest your foot and apply lite brakes while still applying gas. Lite pressure will cause them to fully contact just to see if the noise goes away or changes.
 

rusty ol ranger

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Lefty

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The sound is only happening when I'm moving forward. So if I hit the brakes it will stop because the wheels aren't moving.
You don't have to stop the car entirely, just enough to determine whether or not that's the problem. The chirping should stop even if the car is rolling. If it continues the problem is somewhere else in the drivetrain.
 

newnthused

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You don't have to stop the car entirely, just enough to determine whether or not that's the problem. The chirping should stop even if the car is rolling. If it continues the problem is somewhere else in the drivetrain.
The chirp only slows down in frequency when I hit the brake while rolling because the vehicle is slowing down.
 

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So its not the brakes...
 

rusty ol ranger

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Well that's kind of good news! Down the rabbit hole we go
Look and see if your U joints have grease fittings.

If they dont they are most likely original and pry need replaced.

If they do...greaae the hell out of them and see if the chirp stops or gets better at all.
 

newnthused

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Look and see if your U joints have grease fittings.

If they dont they are most likely original and pry need replaced.

If they do...greaae the hell out of them and see if the chirp stops or gets better at all.
Where would the u joint be located?
 

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