Loud obnoxious squeekking coming from front

[walnuts75]

My Bronco has been displaying some pretty obnoxious symptoms. It has been making loud squeeks and massive vibrations in 4wd. The squeeks seem to be coming from the left front wheel. When its in 2wd with hubs locked it doesnt squeek, but it still vibrates. When the hubs are free, no symptoms occur at all. Two weeks ago I replaced my front u-joints (which were way overdue for replacement). I thought that would stop the vibration and squeeking, but it didn't <_< . Im starting to think it is the hub itself that is the problem. But when I had everything apart, all the bearings and hubs and whatnot seemed fine when I regreased them. What do you guys think?

Also would there be any symptoms if my wheel bearings are too loose. Just something I was concerned about after I put everything back together.

 

[Bronc76]

My Bronco has been displaying some pretty obnoxious symptoms. It has been making loud squeeks and massive vibrations in 4wd. The squeeks seem to be coming from the left front wheel. When its in 2wd with hubs locked it doesnt squeek, but it still vibrates. When the hubs are free, no symptoms occur at all. Two weeks ago I replaced my front u-joints (which were way overdue for replacement). I thought that would stop the vibration and squeeking, but it didn't <_< . Im starting to think it is the hub itself that is the problem. But when I had everything apart, all the bearings and hubs and whatnot seemed fine when I regreased them. What do you guys think?
Also would there be any symptoms if my wheel bearings are too loose. Just something I was concerned about after I put everything back together.

W75

The vibration maybe coming from a bent or out-of-balance driveshaft. You may want to check to see if it is in balance. Just to make sure, check to see if the u-joint clamp bolts arent loose.

This may or may not help.

 

[Miss Kitten]

did you take the ttb apart and replace the ujoint in the center of the ttb as well?

it's very difficult to get to and can sometimes be overlooked

 

[walnuts75]

did you take the ttb apart and replace the ujoint in the center of the ttb as well?
it's very difficult to get to and can sometimes be overlooked

I actually checked that u-joint multiple times and it still feels solid. The sound seems to be coming from the left front wheel. I havent checked to see if the driveshaft is out of balance also I havent detected any bends in the shaft.

 

[Justshootme84]

you can jacku p the wheel, and check for any slack up/down and side/side. There should be none. Did you replace ALL of the bearings, or just re-grease the old ones in the rotor? JSM84

 

[walnuts75]

you can jacku p the wheel, and check for any slack up/down and side/side. There should be none. Did you replace ALL of the bearings, or just re-grease the old ones in the rotor? JSM84

I just regreased the **** outta them. They looked and felt fine so I felt no need to replace them. Additionally, there was no slack in any direction. If it was the bearings wouldnt I have the vibration all the time instead of just when the hubs are locked? Also the sqeaking only occurs in 4wd and at slow speeds it sounds like a crunch. I cant replicate the sound by putting it on jacks and spinning the tires for some reason. These are really all the more details I can give.

 

[Krafty]

if you have 4 jack stands then jack up all 4 corners and then try rotating the wheels with the transfer case locked up, with the truck in neutral. also make sure that the fronts are rotating in the same direction, just use two or more guys if you need to. it could be the front diff, the axle shaft joints, the slip yoke in the drive shaft or the transfer case its self.

the difference in the noise seems to be coming from a difference in the directional force on the front end components, with the transfer case in gear the force will be from the turning of the transfer case yoke, when the hubs are locked but the transfer case is in 2wd, then the front end will be driven from the wheels putting the force in the opposite side of the components that may have slack in them. it may seem complicated but its really not once you get your head around it.

Good luck and be safe

 

[walnuts75]

I got ya. Have all 4 tires spin and see what happeneds with the transfercase locked but tranny in neutral. I know what you're saying, there's no power going to the wheels with just the hubs locked but when the transfer case is locked then power is going to the wheels which means wieght and resistance to whatever is making the sqeaks. When I get some spare time I'll have to give it another look. Thanks for the help.

 

[ford_302]

it could also be your radias arm bushings. that was the case on my old explorer. you mentioned you greased the **** outta everything, make sure those bushings stay dry and oil free.