Hey everybody,

So my 2000 Ranger XLT 4WD just started making an irritating metallic squeaking noise from the front wheel(s) about a week ago. I can't pinpoint if it's both wheels or just one. I've had a couple different people stand outside and listen and they can't determine which wheel or wheels either.

Honestly the sound is the exact same as when your brakes are squealing. The exact same sound. Except it's not just when braking. When I start out driving slowly I can hear it even if my foot is not on the brake. Same when at speeds around 35-45mph. I can hear it as a constant sound from the front wheel area.

When braking the brakes do squeal and it sounds like the same sound I'm hearing now only louder. Ok ... so it seems like any idiot would say, "My brakes are bad." But what confuses me is two things. I'm not really feeling any grabbing or vibration when I brake and I'm hearing the sounds constantly.

Could it be a warped brake rotor rubbing a brake pad? Or wear indicators on the pads? Or even God forbid a wheel bearing?

I'm trying to decide where to go from here. Money's a little tight right now. I can do a front wheel brake job myself for relatively cheap .. but if it's a wheel bearing I will need my mechanic to do the job and he's not cheap.

Ideas? Thoughts? Experience? Advice? Bueller?

 

A dry Excluder Seal between the knuckle and the CV Joint can make a high pitched squeal. If that is the cause, a little wheel bearing grease on the seal lip should clear it up. The later replacement seals have also been improved to reduce or eliminate the squeal.

 

Replacing excluder dust seals: My How-to - The Ranger Station Forums

 

I dont know much on wheel hubs, but is this cv joint where #1 where the hub would go to mount the tire, or is it the #12 side of the image

 

Cause im thinking its the #1 side

 

What about our brakes, are they new ?

 

See if you have grooves starting to cut into the rotors...a sure sign of the wear indicators on the pads telling you its overdue for new pads.

 

So many things it could be. From something as simple as the dust shield rubbing, to a bad axle.

Get under there and look at things, see what it is. Hard to diagnose issues like this without seeing it