Weird squeak?

[n8rfastback]

Hey guys, I need a little help locating a squeak.  It comes from my rear drivers side tire somewhere.  With the car on jack stands I can turn the hub and hear it squeak, this is with all the brake parts off the assembly. 

Is the only option the hub?  Is there a CV joint back there? 

Once I get over 15mph the squeak goes away, seems that it won't squeak at all if I'm rounding a turn to the left, and if I'm turning right going about 15mph it is very pronounced and loud. 

I also am feeling a pulsing vibration in the car, it's so subtle that only I feel it my passengers don't notice, it's worse while going around right hand curves on the interstate and less so when going around a left turn at high way speed.  I was thinking this was the front end hubs somewhere but is it possible it's just the back left one?

Your expertise is appreciated.
Nate

 

[mjhpadi]

Just a guess, but could the noise be coming from the brake on that side? It could be that the caliper is not sliding and releasing hence the the pulsing/grabbing feeling. And if the pad it touching the rotor, it could account for the squeaking noise...

 

[crash712us]

Ok you said makes noise with, all the brake parts removed. Does this include the caliper bracket? If not perhaps the stainless brake shims are rubbing the rotor.

 

[n8rfastback]

No the caliper bracket was still on, visually no brake parts were touching the rotor, caliper and pads were removed, there is no vibration or noise from the brakes when driving or hard braking.

 

[n8rfastback]

It's definitely something that rotates that's squeaking, it seems to go away once I've driven 15 miles or so, then comes back after the car has had several hours to cool down. 

 

[crash712us]

Never heard a wheel bearing squeak before, but that's all that's left.

 

[n8rfastback]

I am really hoping its not the bearing assembly, they are $180 the cheapest i can find them. Is there a CV joint behind the hub assembly? the only way I'm going to find out what is squeaking is to remove the joint and turn the hub and see if it still squeaks. 

 

[crash712us]

CV Joints don't squeak, but I would be convinced that it the wheel bearing either, until you remove caliper bracket and rotor. Typically a squeak like your describing would be cause by the rotor rubbing dust shield or shims or caliper bracket.

 

[n8rfastback]

I'm gonna tear it apart when I can, I leave the country with the AF tomorrow, I'll take a look at it in a couple weeks when I get back

 

[SHOdded]

Good luck with your mission, n8r, come back safe.

 

[DJE624]

Yes, good luck!

 

[n8rfastback]

Thanks guys!

 

[n8rfastback]

I pulled it all apart today, still a little confused. 

The hub has what I would call a "tight spot"  where it gets harder to rotate the hub by hand once per rotation.  You can hear it as well as feel it while you turn the hub. It is the hub for sure, the rotor is almost new and makes no contact with any other parts while I rotate it, everything has at least 1/4" clearance from the rotating parts.  I lubed the bottom and tops of the pads where they slide in the caliper brackets, just to insure that they don't make noise.  For now the squeak is gone, not sure why? 

On another note, the wheel that's on that side was dented slightly when my wife hit a pothole, or a dog, or who the hell knows what else in the road.  Tire shop said they can't fix the dent, but did say it balanced out and shouldn't be an issue?  I call BS.  Today I used a sledge and a short 2x4 and very gently massaged the lip back into shape, you can't even tell standing back where it happened now.  Before it was noticeable.  There is a hairline crack in the lip, and it runs down into the bead area of the rim about an inch.  I am concerned, but it does hold air and is holding up fine for now.  Test drive confirmed my vibration is GONE, no additional vibration or road noise like there was before. 

When I get the cash I'll try and pick up a take off wheel for cheap, I have the 20"s  so I'm sure it's gonna hurt.  FYI dent was on back side of wheel.

 

[DJE624]

Is it possible that when the pot hole or whatever dented the rim, it could have slightly bent the axle?

 

[SHOdded]

Sometimes you can get a good deal on SHO wheels on EBay.

 

[n8rfastback]

Well with independent suspension i doubt its an axle issue, but i do think its very likely that the hub is "out of round" if i can call it that, just enough to be an issue. 

I just paid for a take off wheel on ebay,  $125 shipped is too cheap to risk a cracked wheel causing trouble for me later....