• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Chirping in the rear


newnthused

Active Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
41
Reaction score
6
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
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

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2022
Messages
1,961
Reaction score
2,114
Location
Saint Paul, MN
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Transmission
Automatic
Maybe the rear brake(s)?
 

newnthused

Active Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
41
Reaction score
6
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
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

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2022
Messages
1,961
Reaction score
2,114
Location
Saint Paul, MN
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Transmission
Automatic
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

Active Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
41
Reaction score
6
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
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.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

Wannabe Overlander
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
1,514
Reaction score
2,030
Age
49
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
2020
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
305/70r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
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

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,390
Reaction score
8,646
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...

Lefty

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2022
Messages
1,961
Reaction score
2,114
Location
Saint Paul, MN
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Transmission
Automatic
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

Active Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
41
Reaction score
6
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
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.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
14,376
Reaction score
5,713
Location
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle Year
’97, '06
Make / Model
Pontiac, Dodge
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
2.2,5.7
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
So its not the brakes...
 

rusty ol ranger

2.9 Mafia-Don
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
13,390
Reaction score
8,646
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
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

Active Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
41
Reaction score
6
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Manual
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?
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Rick W
October Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

25th Anniversary Merch

Follow TRS On Instagram

25th Anniversary Sponsors

TRS-3 Ford Ranger Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top