I have a problem with my 2002 Ford Ranger that almost every time I am on the highway switching lanes (to the right), I hear a like a squeaking noise coming the front passenger side wheel. It only does it when I make the slightest turn right in my steering wheel. Then if I turn the steering wheel a little to the left, the noise goes away. Also, when I apply the brakes, the noise goes away. I don't hear any grinding or clunking so I don't think its a wheel bearing. I just had new rotors and pads put on the front in fall of 2010 and I have only put on 9,500 miles since. I am trying to elaborate as much as a I can so hopefully you can help me out of what noise is indicating. Thanks, Andy.

 

When was the last time you had the lower ball joints greased? I had a similar noise, after I greased the lower ball joints the noise was gone. It helped for about 2,000 miles and then I needed to grease them again, I finally just replaced them. The OEM joints did not have any play in them either.

 

To tell you the truth, I haven't greased the lower ball joints and I have only had the truck a year. I doubt the owner before me did anything either. Apparently the truck sat for two before I bought it and you know how things rust! But I only notice the noise when weather cools down like now, but once I have driven her for about 20 minutes the noise seems to dissipate. Just watched a video and the squeak I have sound nothing like a worn out ball joint. The noise I have is more of a ringing/squeakiness sound if you can imagine that kind of noise..

 

I think they were about $30 each. I put them in myself.

 

check your front hubs. like this

 

Yeah I tried that test a few days ago. Mine didn't even budge.

 

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS)

Did you check for anything stuck in the disc shield? Or in between the pad groove? Is it a rotational sqeak? Does it do it when it's jacked up and you spin the wheels?

 

CV- joint? Mine used to squeak, then it stopped.

 

I took the wheel off today and tools some pictures. To me it looks likes the dust shield is pretty well rusted and is starting to flake in some areas. I recorded a video but you can not hear the noise at all. Does it sound like the dust shield might be the problem? Its pretty close to the rotor. When I spun the tire on the jack it didn't make the noise.