Hey guys,

I've been having a little bit of an issue identifying an issue with the truck. Generally, when I drive, there is a squeak or chirp noise that happens. It’s hard to say if it’s all the time or not, as it’s relatively quiet with the windows up, and with the windows down you get the wind noise.
The reason I’m posting about it is that I’ve taken it to a local shop three times to try to figure it out, and each time they tell me it’s just a rock caught on the brakes. The truck currently squeaks, and I’ve taken all the wheels off and checked the rotor/drums, and nothing, no rocks. I know the shop has checked the U Joints, they pulled out the front shafts and checked, I think they checked the ball joints, and they checked the various boots under there – no issue, just some imaginary rock that they said they pulled out but somehow still squeaks.

Background on the noise;
- It does it only when the truck is moving
- Bouncing the trucks suspension does NOT cause the noise
- Per above, does not “seem” like a suspension issue
- Truck goes faster, noise happens more often, and visa versa
- Sounds almost metal on metal
- It’s been doing this for the last few thousand miles, the noise doesn’t get any better or worse
- Sometimes it seems like it goes away but I could be mistaken
- Driving with the window down, next to other cars or building for the sound to reverb makes it definitely more audible

Background on the truck;
- 1999 XLT 4x4
- Brakes were completely redone over a year ago (noise existed prior to break job)
- Suspension is completely stock, except for replacement parts (shocks, breaks, normal stuff)

Background on situation;
The truck has actually only been driven a handful of times over the last year, since I purchased another vehicle. The squeak was present prior to it not being driven much, and continues whenever I pull it out to keep the battery from dying and the gas from getting nasty.
Honestly, I am planning on selling the truck, but I don’t want to sell it with a potential issue or even a safety concern. The shop says the squeak is a rock, but if I put “Squeaks from rock” on craigslist, that seems a bit off to me - as it would to anyone.
I appreciate any input on this. You guys are the Ranger experts, breathing this stuff in day in and day out – is there anything you can think of that I’m missing here or something I might be able to point out to the local shop?

*side note, I searched the forums quite a bit prior to posting, hoping to avoid double posting if this has already been addressed. If I missed a thread, sorry, please provide me the link! Thanks!

 

Ok. Doesn't sound like a suspension issue. And the rock story sounds like a fall back story. Does the noise get worse during turning at all? I ask because it might be a wheel bearing. They can go bad without getting any play in them so you won't feel it during a shake down. Also you won't here it when putting it threw jouns and rebound. It's not making noise during turning then look at the axle bearings in the back. One of those mite be bad. Something to look for on the rear brakes or many they have Ben replaced befor but the rear wheel seals if there new or leaking I'd start there

 

Hello, thank you for your reply.

The noise is no better or worse on a corner, it's just as prevalent on straits. If anything, more so on straits since I'm going quicker.

I still don't drive it much, but this weekend I popped off the drivers side wheel, no rock, then it rained before I could try the passenger. Very much still a noise.

I asked the shop to check the wheel bearings last time it was in, and unless they are outright lying, they said it was fine. I've had the shop do other work in the past, and it turned out fine. Sadly, there are no other shops in town.

The rear brakes were done at the same time the fronts were, we didn't notice anything leaking or out of the ordinary at the time, but I'm not sure the shop would have looked back there since I specified the front. Maybe that's the next step then.

Again, I appreciate your reply thank you.

 

Your welcom. It's sounding like a rear axle bearing. Un fortunaly the only way to really tell is to try and move the rear wheel strait up and down wale it's in the air. Or just replace the axle bearings all together. If I'm understanding it rite it gets louder the faster you drive and it's not changing when making turns. Have they checked the fluid level in the rear differential lately?

 

The way the exhaust is, and by nature of the truck, I can't hear it over a certain speed, but it does seem like it gets faster the faster the truck goes.

I had the rear diff fluid replaced in 2011, and there is no leak, but specifically check it in the last couple years no. I'll ask about that too.

Thank you again bud.

 

N problem