Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Squeal When Turning-Wheel Bearings or CV Joint?

A little background-
I have a stock half shaft on the PASSENGER side, a Stage II axle on the driver's side. Stock half-shaft has been stock for nearly 8years.

I've been using the power I have at hand now, and I don't know if I've worn out my axle or if it's my wheel bearings.

The noise is NON-EXISTENT when driving perfectly straight. But the minute I slightsly turn the steering wheel, it makes this HORRIBLE squealing noise from the right side of the car (serp belt is new, not broken, and well connected). . .When I turn to the RIGHT, towards the PASSENGER side, the noise comes up, but the noise isn't noticeable when I turn to the LEFT, the driver's side (with the new Stage 2 axle).

Did I wear out the Passenger side axle? Or have my wheel bearings gone? I've never replaced the bearings on my car.

PS, Power steering fluid is red, was flushed about a year ago or so?

PPS, Alternator is stock, don't know if the noise is coming from that. I've had some problems starting up, but I have a brand new battery so. . .

Could be your steering rack...try sucking out some fluid and adding some power steering fluid conditioner. Does it make the noise standing still and turning the wheel?

would it be wise to use synthetic fluid? Or would that cause a leak to occur in the PS system? It's only been on ford fluid . .(Mercon?)

It doesn't make the noise when parked and standing still.

I use synthetic in my PS system. I do have a noise, but I think it has no relation to the fluid. I believe it's either cv joint or wheel bearing. But I guess I'm just gonna let it get worse until I do anything so I'm sure about it before just replacing everything. My sound is on driver side, only happens at certain speeds, usually when I steer slightly left, but sometimes going straight too.

I'm in the same situation right now with my '98 SE (V6-ATX). Going down the road with the wheels straight ahead- nothing. Turn the wheel to the left and there's a groaning sound that comes from the passenger-side front end. Turn the wheel to the right and there's nothing. The noise occurs at al speeds. From what I've gathered from this forum, I'm looking at the RF wheel bearing as being the culprit.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the wheel bearing is something that DIY-type of person shouldn't attempt? I can do minor repairs, but I'm no auto-whiz.

Any guesses on how much to repair?

Sorry, did not mean to hijack the thread.

Rob

Wheel bearing.

Squeals when turning to the direction opposite of the bad bearing, ie., RF bearing is bad if it squeals while turning left and vice versa.

Replacing the bearing requires a shop press to disassemble and reassemble the bearing and hub from the knuckle. Certain auto parts stores (the ones that cater to the professional repair shops) often will provide this service for a fee if you buy the parts from them and bring the knuckle in. Look for parts store with an attached machine shop. This eliminates most of the national chains stores.

Steve

Most people would describe a wheel bearing problem as a moan, rather than a squeal.

It's not really a moan, it's more of a squeal. I'm starting to think, since I'll have to eventually anyways, that I'll replace the passenger side axle. Shouldn't be more than $80-100 labor (I don't have the time or an impact wrench to take off those big bolts).

If that doesn't cure it, it'll have to be the wheel bearings then.

I've never heard of squealing axles, but then again the bearing is more of a rumble moan. But directional preference usually means bearings. The shaft/boot would not be sensitive to a articuar direction and both left and right turning would cause the boot to compress and expand in either case.


BTW - If anyone needs bearings, I have them! My company makes them. I can sell you one or two if you need to do both sides. Just PM me.

I just got my car back today, actually, for a bad driver's side bearing. It was a rotational, semi-dull, "whump-whump-whump-whump" sound that showed up only during right-hand turns or when the wheel was turned even slightly to the right. There was no squealing involved. All fixed now!