sweaky noise comming from FL wheel

[kc7eqo]

Today my front driverside wheel started squeaking. I took it into the shop and said it was the ball joints. The cost is 706.66 bucks! Has anyone had this problem before? Do I need any special tools to do the job myself? I have an 88 4Runner v6 5 speed SR5. Please help.

Matthew
89 and 88 4Runners

 

[kc7eqo]

update I dont think its the ball joints. The sound follows wheel rotation. pitch increases with speed. I also tried rocking the truck and turned the wheel both ways. could not reproduce the noise. The sweak is only when the truck is going down the road. Also my 89 has grease fittings on the balljoints, but the 88 does not. Can I swap the fittings?

Matthew <><

 

[02sport]

could it be the brake wear indicators?...maybe the brake pads are worn?? just a thought...

 

[kc7eqo]

no its not the pads. The sound is different, its a higher pitch. I had the breaks on my 89 wear down so I know what that sound is like and its not the same. How ever today I went to the local toyota dealer and they think its the bearing too. I was not able to drive the truck there. So I bought new bearings and will start tomorrow tearing it appart. I will keep this thread updated with what I find.

Matthew

 

[kc7eqo]

update

I tor the wheel and hub apart found that the previous owner had installed the brake spring in the auto hub wrong and has damaged the hub tomorrow I will be installing Aisin manul hubs. Need to ditch the auto hubs, poor design plus I will be able to shift on the fly.

Matthew <><