Squeeky Noise At Constant Speed

[JARVAS36]

Just like it says...I'm getting a squeeky noise once I'm in higher gear at constant speeds betweein 35mph all the way upt o 70mph. I already had a family mechanic look at it and he said it was my alternator belt. We sprayed wd-40 and tightened it but the problem still persists. I also took the liberty of checking the dust cover sorrounding the brakes and making sure there's no contact with the rotors. An old friend had told me maybe a possibility of having to change my power steering fluid. Oh, yeah I also tried having tha ac on. The wierd thing is...is that it goes away when I'm accelerating. I have also done an extensive search but I could be wrong as well. Any input or feedback would be great.

Oh by the way I have a '98 v6 limited....thought that might be helpfull.

 

[Rbv714]

Try turning the AC on... I had that and it was just my air conditioning belt that needed adjustment. But when I turned my AC on it was a scream heard by everyone... And sometimes I think the squeak even happened when the AC was off.

 

[JARVAS36]

I've eliminated the possiblities of it being the a/c belt/pulley, p/s belt/pulley, the alternator belt needed some tightening but I still hear the squeek even after correcting the tension on all belts and sprayed wd-40 on them one by one. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[JARVAS36]

Well I went ahead and changed all my belts and had all my pullies inspected, but it still makes the noise. Could the noise possibly be coming from wheel hub bearings? From experience I know wheel hub bearings would make the noise constantly.

 

[JARVAS36]

update

Okay, now the truck is making the noise even when I accelerate kinda hard. It's really loud in the morning but faint when I leave work and it has sat all day long. I coming to the conclusion that it may be a bearing in one of the the pulleys. Hopefully, just a tensioner pulley. I'll keep everyone posted just in case anyone runs into the same problem.

 

[caspermj]

Kinda hard to pin point without seeing/hearing, but I'd make sure your u-joints are lubed and not dry or binding. If the drive shafts "feel" tight that doesn't always mean they're good. Sometimes you've got to drop the shaft and flex it to be sure. Good luck!

 

[KellyJ]

if the squeak is persistent throughout the day it might be the water pump bearings. mine were shot at a little over 80 thousand miles and made a really obnoxious squeaking noise, especially with the windows down during the summer and either driving or idling. if you have not had a timing belt done yet and you are going to get service at a dealer or qualified shop, i suggest getting that done too as they have to take apart all the same pieces to access both the pump and the belt.

 

[VT4RUNNER]

Do you have an auto tranny and, if so, does the squeak stop when you manually down shift?

I had a similar problem and went through the same things. Ended up being the painful screams of my dying transmission...

 

[JARVAS36]

I'll see if I can have a friend check my U-joint, and yes I've had a (timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and all belts) changed over already, and finally I have an auto transmission. I have noticed that since it's been warming up here in AZ, the noise isn't as loud and it doesn't last as long. The only difference now is that the noise is still there briefley right after I let go of the accelerator. I just hate being a state away from my best firend who has been my mechanic ever since we worked for a repair shop back in 1999. He's the one that I trust the most on all of my families vehicles aside from one other person who was his teacher. Kind of off point, but not only am I paying full price for parts now, I'm also paying for labor. Labor that I can't trust.

 

[JARVAS36]

question

If it was my U-joint, wouldn't it make the noise constantly? I'm not sure just wanted to ask. The noise seems to come from the engine compartment. Does this relate to anyone that has had a problem with their U-joint?

 

[caspermj]

Re: question

If it was my U-joint, wouldn't it make the noise constantly? I'm not sure just wanted to ask. The noise seems to come from the engine compartment. Does this relate to anyone that has had a problem with their U-joint?

No, not always constant. Real hard to tell without sitting in the truck to hear it. I guess it's just an easy thing to rule out by dropping one end of a shaft and check for binding and play. If you say it's coming from the front, maybe start with the front shaft. Sounds like you've ruled out everything that runs off a belt. My personal experience with u-joints is "squeeking" before they get loose and start clunking. Not sure what else to tell you Good luck!

 

[t4newb]

Yes, I also have (well just got 2 days ago!!) a '98 limted 2wd with 119k on it. I would describe the sound as how large tires sound when your going down the road. More of a whistling sound than a squeak for me. We lubed the belts, but the sound is still there. Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on it.

 

[JARVAS36]

UPDATE

I has a well recognized shop check out the noise. Unfortunately, we couldn't recreate the noise since it's been record breaking heat here in az (92 to 99 degrees). But luckily one of the mechanics used a laser alignment tool and found out that my power steering pulley or shaft is cocked just enough so that the belt is not sitting true(perfectly flat) which is what's inducing the noise. I hope this helps anyone out there. Thanks for all of the feedback. T4R rocks:rocker: