Wheel bearing squeak

I have a 12 with 155k and original wheel bearings. 3rd gen suspension on my 2nd gen but other than that stock. I did replace the cv axle 3ish years ago with a CVJ. Recently the front drivers side has developed a intermediate squeak. When I turn left and right taking weight off and on of the drivers side the squeak pitch will change. I’ve searched and found bearings make more of a hum or they really allow excess road noise from the tires. Based on what I’m describing does anything else come to mind?

 

It could possibly be a wheel bearing that's lost all of its grease. It would have to be pretty bad though. 155,000 miles is well past what the OEM bearings usually last, so replacing both of them would be a good idea anyway. Seeing as you describe it as a squeak, can you bounce the front of the truck up and down and replicate the sound? If so, a bad ball joint or tie rod end could be your culprit.

 

Rotational noises like that makes me lean towards failing WB's or brakes related. Start with jacking up the front to check for both. At that high mileage, I would replace the WB's as part of maintenance regardless of noise.

 

By that mileage, I had replaced wheel bearings (twice), and LCA BJ's and bushings. Plus new adjustment cam bolts to replace a seized one.

 

It's possible that the backing plates could be rubbing the rotor. Rust belt issues.

 

OP I'd get it looked at ASAP before it leaves you stranded. You don't want to break down & or break something else & cause you to spend more $$$

 

Sometimes when a wheel bearings develops some play the rotor will shift around in between the brake pads/caliper and make weird noises. Lift the front end and do the usual checks like grabbing the wheel at 12 and 6 and see if it's loose. Also spin the tire by hand while holding the knuckle. If you feel any roughness through the knuckle the bearing is bad

 

Well I was able to jack it up and try to see if there was some play. It didn’t feel like it to me but when I spun the tires I felt there was some noise. What do you guys think?

https://youtube.com/shorts/GNW2ap6cPWk?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/kvonS4E7ap8?feature=share

 

Anyone.

 

I check these out in a bit! Hang in there. Also you’ll notice wheal bearing play - if you don’t know, YouTube it & you can the reference what you experienced

 

Diagnosing noises over the internet is difficult at best. (Laying hands on a problem always works better for me.) Based on what I heard, I'd vote for a bad wheel bearing though. If you replace one, you should really do both.

As for your next question (what kind of bearings to use), you get what you pay for. I'd recommend:

Wheel Bearings & Hubs Press Service *** 4x4 *** PreRunner *** | Tacoma World

 

Thanks the drivers side definitely did not spin as freely and had more of a clicky noise to it. I couldn’t get any movement from trying to move the tire at the 12/6 or 3/9 positions. With 155,000 miles it is time to replace the bearings. I’ve already sent the above a message about the bearings.

 

Hold the knuckle with one hand while spinning the tire. You'll feel roughness through the knuckle if the bearing is bad. Compare to side to side.

 

x2. this should give you your answer

 

Is the knuckle the end of the cv axle under the cap?

 

Thanks! I’ve done a lot of PM jobs and replaced the CV once. With each new thing it is a new thing to learn. Couldn't have done more than an oil change without TW!

 

The drivers side sounds a lot rougher than the passenger side but I don’t necessarily feel roughness through the knuckle. If I turn the wheel forward a little then backwards a little I feel play in the knuckle on each side. Is that what I should be feeling for?

 

Watch this, do the wiggle wiggle wiggle test with hands at 3 and 9 o'clock and then at 6 and 12 o'clock. Other videos out there too that certainly can answer the question better than I could.

Personally for me with wheel bearings I change them whenever I start getting that suspicion. I'd rather buy new shiny happy parts than pay for a tow truck ride. Do the outer axle seals seals too at the same time and you won't have to touch it for another 100k+ miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKWGjmPKoc

 

OP, did you ever find a solution?

My truck developed a similar noise and it ended up being the dust seal that goes on the axle rubbing the dust seal on the spindle. At some point, the one got bent slightly and started rubbing.

These guys