What am I going to get myself into?

Of course while I'm planning to do my shocks and ball joints, a lovely squeaky noise starts up. Guess I can add one more thing to the repair list. Only problem is, I'm not a mechanic so diagnosing this is beyond me. I can't seem to chase this squeak down. It happens when the truck is bounced, either while driving or when someone gets in/out. I first thought shocks, but when I slid underneath, the squeak sounds more central.

Here's a vid of my mystery noise.

Any ideas?

 

No ideas eh? LOL.

I'm still stumped. Nothing appears to be broken. I'm wondering if it's bushings, maybe on the lower control arm?

Could be rack and pinion too I suppose.

 

Free bump hoping someone has a good idea.

 

sounds like a squeaky bed at the motel 6....

 

Bushings probs have mud cack in them. Rinse with water and then spray some liquid degreaser mixed in water on all your bushing areas, then rinse again. I had that same squeak and what I described worked. Ultimately, I ended up having a mechanic redo the entire front when I had new shocks put on (Billy 5100’s).

 

The seem to be ok, and when I slide under the truck to listen to the noise, it's definitely coming from lower down and more centrally located.

I'll give that a try, thanks! I'm starting to think more seriously about having the front end completely redone by a mechanic along with the 5100s. Considering upper/lower ball joints, tie rod ends, maybe control arm bushings, rack/pinion bushings and the 5100's all around. I'd like to avoid fully replacing control arms if I can due to cost.

I could try to do it myself but I need about $300 in new tools, plus I've never done anything so involved. With the Tundra our only vehicle I can't really afford to have it up on jackstands for multiple days while I bumble my way through it. A mechanic could probably have it all done in a day. Going to call around for some quotes this week.

 

Have you checked body mounts possibly??

 

I have not. I'll add that to the list to check.

 

Giggity

 

D'oh! This is brilliant and would totally satisfy my methodical semi-OCD system of diagnosis. Thanks!

 

Well, it must have been dirt or grit lodged somewhere. I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet and the squeak has disappeaed.

No complaints here. LOL. Now I get to chase down the rattle that happens everytime I apply the brakes at low speed. Thinking that may have something to do with the calipers.

 

Think your wife worked it out with all that rockin’?

 

Doubt it. It was still squeaking last night and we had't done anything more than typical driving. Dunno when it stopped. I wasn't really pay attention this morning on the way to work due to my pre-coffee haze.

 

Check the skid plate rubbing on something. Sounds like then metal

 

It was probably mud cack in the bushing. Degreaser helps, but in this case his went away on its own. Mine had this same squeak as the OP video. It would come and go (usually winter coldness time). One day I had an idea and used liquid degreaser mixed in water and sprayed things down. Squeak never came back. Bushings were still old, but squeak went away.

 

Kinda sounded like metal to me too.

But while your down there you can check your sway bar end links and bushings.

 

Here's the latest noise I'm trying to chase down. Only happen when I apply the brakes at low speed.

 

Never heard that one before althought video noise can be deceiving. Maybe ABS sensor disconnected? Brakes work fine, but just noise? Could be brake pads need replaced?

 

Video noise is pretty much spot on. Brakes work perfectly, just the noise. No warning lights or anything. Doesn't seem to be anything disconnected that I can tell without pulling off the wheels. I'm going to pull wheels off this weekend to have a look at it but last check about 4 months ago had the pads at 70%.

 

You got a gremlin problem man.

 

It'll happen when going straight as well. I just happened to remember to film when I turned into the drive.

You're welcome?

 

The original noise, does it squeak regaurdless of what kinda of movement your front end makes?
When parked with the truck running does rotating the steering wheel one direction and then all the way back the other direction cause a constant type of squeak/skawk/squeal/ other various onomatopoeias?

Or was the way you originally showed us pretty much it?

The brakes, i think Mr. ColoradoTJ may have nailed that one. If not, then probably another thin flimsy piece of metal similar to it.

Makes sense as to why its most noticeable when theres not a lot of force transferring to the front.

Thats about a one beer fix.

 

I'll check the backing plate when I'm under there. I cant remember when it started but I did have the new wheels put on couple months ago. That may have been it.

 

The original noise is only whe bouncing like in the videos. I did check for onomatopoeias while turning the wheel and all is quiet then.