Creaking left wheel.

[Paul Higg]

I now have a creaking sound coming from the LEFT front wheel. This is what I did to troubleshoot it.

1) It only happens going forward and at slow speeds when I apply the brakes.
2) It does not happen in reverse.
3) It does not make the sound when I am in park and depress the brake pedal.
4) It does not happen when I am going forward and lift up on the parking brake handle to stop the car.

Any ideas? Bad front wheel bearing? Suspension problem?

Thanks for your experience and help as always.

Paul

 

[vette079]

Put it on a jack and grab the wheel with your hands at "six o´clock and twelve o´clock" and move it slowly towards you, first upside then downside and again to determine if you have a bearing problem. If you have a bearing problem, you will definately feel it.

You should not feel anything loose with a good bearing.

Try to compare with the right front wheel and see if it´s different there.

If not it´s the brake (pads).

Feeling mild shake at 50-60 mph in the steering wheel?

Could be bearing, brakes, or a balljoint.

 

[Paul Higg]

No shake at those speeds.

Lower ball joints were replaced earlier this year.

I will try the feeling it like you suggested.

Anyone else with a similar problem in the past?

 

[jmccloud]

Creaking wheel

How new are your pads? If worn significantly, there's a 'chirp' tang on the pad backing plate that's supposed to sound off before the pads are totally gone. Often the tang works better one way of rotation than the other.
Or it could simply be noisy pads. My son's car has one wheel that chirps and drives him crazy. My rifle range ears are shot and I don't hear a thing.
Good luck

 

[Paul Higg]

I just checked the pads and they are really good. I know the little pointed tab that causes the chirp if the pads have been worn down too much. This is more like a creaking sound.

Kind of like the sound an old wooden sailing ship might make.

 

[gmjunkie]

How new are your pads? If worn significantly, there's a 'chirp' tang on the pad backing plate that's supposed to sound off before the pads are totally gone. Often the tang works better one way of rotation than the other.
Or it could simply be noisy pads. My son's car has one wheel that chirps and drives him crazy. My rifle range ears are shot and I don't hear a thing.
Good luck

My guess is your probly right!! But sometimes they just creak when they get some sand or other debris in them!!My 94 does it on the rt front and left rear after it sets a few days!!

 

[Paul Higg]

Hi Junk! Thanks. I dunno if that is it. It hasn't been sitting. It is only on the left side. And it is like a creaking or groaning noise. I cannot feel anything at all in the pedal itself, no pulsing or anything. I can always look for debris in the pads and blow it out. I guess. I feel it may be suspension related? I may be wrong of course.

 

[gmjunkie]

Hi Junk! Thanks. I dunno if that is it. It hasn't been sitting. It is only on the left side. And it is like a creaking or groaning noise. I cannot feel anything at all in the pedal itself, no pulsing or anything. I can always look for debris in the pads and blow it out. I guess. I feel it may be suspension related? I may be wrong of course.

Well If I'd made it to the BBQ today I would have stopped and took a look at it!! But today is Jo's birthday and she volunteered me to fix the exhaust on daughters Z-71 so she would bring the Grand Daughter up!!

 

[Paul Higg]

What a BUMMER! Junk, I REALLY wanted to meet you! Let alone the diagnosis which I am SURE you would have figured out.

Oh well.

 

[G Winter]

The pad might be shifting on the calipers . Should be something on the back side of the pad to eliminate this.
If if always does it then spray a little WD40 between the calipers and the pad , then drive and see if it eliminated it.
The WD40 will dry out if you should get some on the rotor.

Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks Glenn, but what is it that is supposed to be on the back side?

I will try the WD. I am printing out all of ya'lls fine suggestions!

 

[gmjunkie]

Thanks Glenn, but what is it that is supposed to be on the back side?

I will try the WD. I am printing out all of ya'lls fine suggestions!

Some pads come with a thin pad that is stick to the back side of the pad!!Others dont and you have to put this stuff on them to keep them quite!!


http://www.autobarn.net/ch05016.html

Disc Brakes can make all sorts of strange noise!!Anything from a deep groan,chirp,squeak to a High Pitched Annoying Squeal like my wife!!!

 

[Paul Higg]

Rolling on the FLOOR! "Like my wife"!!!

I guess I will investigate it that way then. hnoes

Thanks Junk!

 

[Paul Higg]

Well, I think I have found the problem. Here's what I did.

1) First I checked for bearing slop. None, very tight.
2) Removed the caliper and checked the brakes. They were very tight. I have about 1/4" inch left before I reach the metal tab that squeals. (Any guess how many miles? I go VERY easy on the brakes.)
3) I lubed the upper ball joint, brand new tie rod, and the new lower ball joint.
4) Test drove it and it did not emit ONE creak, groan, or anything. So my conclusion is upper ball joint was dry. Now, just in case, before I look in the FSM anyone ever replace one? There looks like there's rivets surrounding the grease fitting. Do they need to be drilled out and replaced? Or WORSE, do I have to remove the A-frame?

Paul

 

[jmccloud]

Removing ball joint rivets

It's a lot easier to grind off the rivet head than it is to drill it. Just be careful to avoid grinding the A-arm. If you have a compressor, you can get a die grinder cheap at something like sHarbor sFreight, about $10 on sale. Cuts steel like butter.
I've also used a 4" right angle grinder for the job.
Use lots of jack stands and of course an alignment will be in order.
Good luck
PS I'll bet it was your pads after all.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks for the advice jm, I have a die grinder and can do it, no problem. I looked in the FSM and that is what it said. But, what made you think it was the pads?

 

[jmccloud]

Noisy pads

Paul,
I'm guessing the pads based on experience with sporadic noise from pads on many different cars, especially when there's no 'anti-squeak' sprayed on the back side. The link in the earlier post is similar to what I've used, very successfully, to prevent or stop squeaks. My son's car with the persistent chirp still has me baffled. Except that he's got those 'low dust' ceramic pads. Do you?
Good luck.

 

[Paul Higg]

I know the pads were not loose. They were solid. I do not know if they are ceramic. I think they are OEM's. They are brown.

 

[LVMYVT76]

If the pads were that close to being worn out, I would of gone on and replaced them.

 

[Paul Higg]

I still have some life in 'em. I'll change them soon though. It really isn't a problem doing it, it is just a matter of time and money.

Also, I just spoke with Junk. I told him I had slotted rotors all around and he said that is not factory. Someone before me added them to the car. They're in great shape too.