Squealing from the front of 97 Expy.

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97_edition

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I just noticed this last week. While driving the vehicle I can hear a squealing noise coming from the front of my 97 Expy. I thought it was the belt getting worn out so I put a new belt on this weekend and the noise is still there. I can hear it better bouncing off buildings in town, and I would guess I can hear it better on the passenger side but the buildings are always closer on that side anyways. So I can't say for sure what side.
I had thought maybe it was bearings in one of the pulleys going out but I cannot get it to squeal unless the vehicle is moving faster than say 5-10 mph. I thought for sure a pulley would squeal if I just rev up the vehicle or am I wrong?
Could it be something in the wheel, axle, etc? I have tried pressing the brakes on and off but it doesn't make the noise any louder or softer. I replaced the brakes about 6 months ago too, they look really good still.
Any thoughts would be a big help. As I would try to fix myself if I knew what I was looking for. If it is major, I cannot do it myself.
 

panda24619

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it could be the wheel bearings going out. you can do that in your drive way in a day each side. i think walnuts or someone knows how to get them out so you an re pack them with grease.
 

walnuts4x4

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I had a similar squeal a while ago and was the driver's side wheel bearing... not the most difficult repair just time consuming... but try jacking the front end up and spin the tires and see if you hear any grinding or squealing.... not 100% certain it is your problem but it might be worth a shot
 

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also check for broken exhaust studs on the passenger side... sounds just like a squealing belt... again not a hard repair just time consuming
 
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Ok, will take a look when I get a chance.
Also, I don't hear the noise until it warms up. This morning I was listening for it on my way to work which is about 25 miles and I quit listen after about 5 mins of driving but when I got to work I could hear it. I was kinda leaning towards wheel bearing or something to do with the wheels turning, but I'm no mechanic.
And on the exhaust manifold, would I be able to hear it while the engine was running or revving up the engine?

Thanks for your the input guys..
 

panda24619

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if the manifold damaged you lose power. like i did. but mine were cracked. as for wheel bearing when they warm up from moving that could be why. if you can jack up the front of the truck after you drove it and spin the front wheels. as fast as you can but carefully. if they squeak then its the bearings.
 
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if the manifold damaged you lose power. like i did. but mine were cracked. as for wheel bearing when they warm up from moving that could be why. if you can jack up the front of the truck after you drove it and spin the front wheels. as fast as you can but carefully. if they squeak then its the bearings.

Yea that makes sense. A friend of mine who hasn't heard the noise asked me if it was my u-joints needing greased or going bad. He told me in his 87 Ford, the universal/driveshaft will squeal if they start going bad or need greased. To check for this he said to get under the truck and see if there is any play in the drive shaft. Said it shouldn't be loose but may move slightly but feel tight, shouldn't have excess play. Could this be? Also after driving the bearing would warm up and cause the squeal same as the wheel bearing?

Is there grease fittings for the U-joints? I will grease them while I'm under there if there is. I don't remember looking last time I was under the Expy.
 
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97_edition

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Yea that makes sense. A friend of mine who hasn't heard the noise asked me if it was my u-joints needing greased or going bad. He told me in his 87 Ford, the universal/driveshaft will squeal if they start going bad or need greased. To check for this he said to get under the truck and see if there is any play in the drive shaft. Said it shouldn't be loose but may move slightly but feel tight, shouldn't have excess play. Could this be? Also after driving the bearing would warm up and cause the squeal same as the wheel bearing?

Is there grease fittings for the U-joints? I will grease them while I'm under there if there is. I don't remember looking last time I was under the Expy.

Well I climbed underneath the expy last night and it is not the U joints they feel really solid still. with no grease fittings.. ha ha. Any ways I jacked up the front of it and hand spun the 33x12.50s as fast as i could and sure enough I could hear a slight squeal. There is no cracks or rips in the boot cover that I could see but my question is do I just replace the wheel bearing or is replacing the axle faster and cheaper or not? On my old caviler It was faster and easy just to swap the entire axle instead of messing around with the bearing.. out with the old in with the new.. Again I haven't price new bearings or new axle but that is next on my list. I'm not sure if I want to tackle this myself or not, no garage and recovering from motorcycle wreck a couple weeks ago.
 
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Well I climbed underneath the expy last night and it is not the U joints they feel really solid still. with no grease fittings.. ha ha. Any ways I jacked up the front of it and hand spun the 33x12.50s as fast as i could and sure enough I could hear a slight squeal. There is no cracks or rips in the boot cover that I could see but my question is do I just replace the wheel bearing or is replacing the axle faster and cheaper or not? On my old caviler It was faster and easy just to swap the entire axle instead of messing around with the bearing.. out with the old in with the new.. Again I haven't price new bearings or new axle but that is next on my list. I'm not sure if I want to tackle this myself or not, no garage and recovering from motorcycle wreck a couple weeks ago.

Ok, now I feel dumb. I was looking at the front right wheel yesterday after listening to the squeal and decided to check the other side. Wow, I could freely spin the front wheel a lot easier than on the right side. I have come to the conclusion that my right front caliper is not releasing completely after the brakes/caliper heats up. :eek: I should have realized how hard it was to spin the wheel... Well I hopes this helps out anyone else who is thinking the worst before checking the obvious...
Now I need to look around on the forum on how to change the brake caliper (well how to take off and replace the brake line attached to the caliper). Hopefully my brakes on that side are not worn out and damaged my rotor. There is no shimmy or shaking when I use the brakes so I'm hoping it is still good.
I priced the caliper at Auto parts store and it is $56 with a $25 core charge.
 
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