Just this last week or so I've developed a bunch of chirps and Cheeps.

Greased the front shaft again, as an easy precaution.

I think my first job will be to sort out my caliper slides, which I've never given proper attention to. Also it's the next easiest thing to do and I know at least one of them is squeaky.

If, as im suspecting, it's a wheel bearing, am I right in saying it's easiest to swap the whole hub? I'd do the pair. I can't determine whether it's more the front or back, any way to be certain?

Can the flex coupling at the back cause cheeps? In guessing that's also an easy check.

 

You pretty much have to replace the whole hub unless you are a madman with a zillion pound press and time on your hands. Chinese hubs are fairly cheap on ebay.

For the record, wheel bearings don't typically squeak. They roar at certain speeds and get worse when the wheel is turned. You can check by lifting the truck and trying to rock the wheels. If the move around, the bearing is badly worn.

The rotoflex won't squeak. It's also easy to tell if it's failing with a visual inspection.

 

Hmmn. With all that in mind maybe my squeaking is all down to brake calipers then. That would be nice. Although is now becoming apparant at low speeds with brakes not engaged. Although they might be dragging slightly.

Right, I remember in many old cars, wheel bearings rumble, grind, but you are right, not squeak.

Thanks Doc.....

 

When does it squeak? Before I did anything, I'd see if it squeaks when I hit the brakes, or when accelerating, or whatever.

I'd say the most common causes of squeaking are belts, pulleys, suspension components. That's where I'd start.

 

Squeaks (audibly) at low speeds. Hear it mainly on deceleration. Brakes have always been a bit squealy because I'm bad at bothering with the guide pins when swapping pads (done the rears, not touched the fronts).

But now the squeal is without brakes applied.

Ive recently changed belt, idler pulleys, and tensioner. 6 weeks ago maybe.

Serviceable drive shaft 2 years ago. Regreased once, 2nd time just now.

 

I know you haven't changed them, but you've checked the front pads?

That's all I can think of with the symptoms you've described.

 

Well, front pads and guide pins done, and no squeaks.

Thinking it was more likely the pads. The old ones were not totally worn down, but they did look suspicious against the pistons on the back side, and the caliper bits on the front. I'm even suspecting a bit of lube there would have corrected it.

But, thanks to a forum member and some 'cheaper than they should have been' Akbonos + Eric @Lucky8 for guide pin/boot kit + a couple of hours in the drizzley rain = I'm now squeak (and dust) free.

 

Good!