Squeaking/chirping from front left wheel

Tiny
JASONCYATES
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
It makes the noise when accelerating, coasting or braking. The pitch changes sometimes when braking, but not always. I've removed the wheel, caliper and pads - and they are at least 80%. The brake pad indicator is not rubbing the rotor. The sound is high pitched and is not a grinding sound. I replaced the rotors with the pads in February. The sound comes in a steady rhythm - so there is a spot on the hub / axle / rotor/ wheel that is rubbing something once per rotation I presume. When turning the axle with the tire off, it turns smoothly when holding the rotor / brake pads tightly in place.

Maybe related / maybe not - sometimes when turning sharply at low speeds, the car will 'slip' as if something int he steering mechanism slipped. The front end shifts slightly. There is no sound associated with that.

Lastly - I checked the tightness of the lug nuts when re-installing the wheel. They are all very tight (star pattern when tightening) except even though tight, there is one lug that seems to appear 'shorter' by maybe 2 threads - maybe 1/8" max than the others. The nut is as tight on that lug as it can be, but the end of the lug doesn't poke through the nut as far as the others - as I mentioned maybe 1/8" difference at most. Almost seems to be optical illusion it's so slight. But maybe enough to make a difference?

That's all I know. Can you help?

Thanks!
Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 5:01 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
This happens when the bearing hub goes out and needs to be replaced. here is a guide and video to help you get the job done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

and

https://youtu.be/ZgiPRG6jffc

Here is the part on Amazon for $72.00:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078Z2CR32/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B078Z2CR32&linkId=375b023ab0d9114a47a92bc7f54a305a

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Saturday, May 9th, 2015 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
JASONCYATES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
So good I took off the bearing hub, it apart and it fell apart in my hands you. Were so right All fixed now cheaper than I thought. I love this site. I did both sides just to be safe.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 2:57 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers
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Sunday, May 10th, 2015 AT 9:07 AM

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