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First things first… truck is a 1990 GMC C1500 with the 4.3L V6.
Recently my truck began making a slight squealing noise from what I believe to be the driver/front wheel. I know for a fact I need to replace the left tie rods (recently replaced the right side) and brake rotors/calipers AND may as well change the pads while I’m at it. The truck will slightly jerk and pull to a side (either or dependent on the particular stop/slope, etc.).
However…Could this new light constant squeaking while the truck is in motion be the brakes themselves? Or a wheel bearing as well? Are there any distinctive symptoms between the 2 OR tests I can utilize to diagnose for sure what it is??
Thank you for future advice.
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A wheel bearing can develop enough play that the brake rotor can interfere with the pad/caliper bracket. It is more normal for there to be very loud bearing noise if it’s that bad, but I have absolutely seen a couple over the years that were extremely loose but were also quiet going down the road until the brake rotors starts dragging on the pad bracket.
Hmm…so there is a SLIGHT chance that it could simply be the wheel bearing and not the brakes that are bad? Or if one is bad does that kind of insist that the other is bad?
What are some ways I can diagnose it for sure? I’m on a budget, I need to replace things in increments and what is the most broken first lol
Do you notice the noise at low speeds? Take it to an underground echoey parking lot and drive it around slowly. If you can hear squealing, try hitting the brakes. If it goes away, it is probably worn brake pads. They often have squealers on them that are supposed to signal when they need to be replaced so you don’t hit the metal.
You could also pop the wheels off and have a look. Compare it to the minimum thickness of your vehicle. You may want to check if the pads are worn evenly on both sides as well. If you see on thicker or thinner than the other it may be a sticking caliper. You can often rebuild them or replace them if this is the case.
Hi, thank you for responding. I DO notice the noise at a low speed as well as normal cruising speed and sometimes even at 50mph. I’ll try to look out for an underground parking lot or car parking structure to test it. I live in the desert so I don’t even know where to begin looking for something like that lol I’m really hoping its the brake pads. I was wondering if it MIGHT be that noise.
I can rebuild a brake caliper?? I’m curious of how I can go about doing that??
Hopefully it’s as simple as that. Start with the cheap things first then check the expensive ones.
Here’s a popular mechanics article on rebuilding calipers to give you the general idea.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3915/4305927/
Normally you can get rebuild kits from your local auto parts supply store for a lot less than a caliper. The detailed instructions will be in your service manual. If you have your make and model of your truck you could ask here or another online forum if someone could photocopy that section of the manual (if it exists) and send it to you.
Awesome thank you! I’ll look into that. My tools are at my brother’s and he’s gone for the weekend so I’m needing to be patient haha
I’m ultimately replacing everything but I’m going to need to be on a budget for a few months so just trying to hold it over.
I would take the wheel bearing off the table for now. Wheel bearings don’t make squeezing noises so much as grinding or droning noises when you drive down the road. Based on your description, I’d be looking at the brakes. In fact, I’ve written about this very issue here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-brake-problems
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Thank you Eric! (kinda glad you replied lol) I ended up forgetting about the wheel bearing like you said. I took the wheels off (Didn’t take the brakes apart due to my tools being at my brother’s since my move) but from what I could tell? The passenger front brake has a rotor that seems uneven on 1 or 2 spots. Even compared to the driver side (which completely flat as far as my hand could tell). I’m on a budget so I can’t be replacing anything until I know EXACTLY what is going on lol
At the time being, I’m focusing on the brakes (and of course my tie rod I know is bad on the driver’s side) I’ll post more once I have the money to replace all of those.
So it is a high-pitched squealing sound when the brakes are not applied, correct?
Have you seen this?
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-brake-problems?start=1#BrakeNoise
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