$1000 later, squeak still there

[INTERSTELLAR11]

Hey guys, hope you like the title. I have a 2011 JK, It's lifted, but mostly a mall crawler. I'm having an issue finding a grinding/squeaking noise I'm hearing intermittently on my jeep. It only occurs after the jeep has been driven a few (5-10) miles, which is why shops are having trouble pinpointing the issue, because they only take the jeep around the corner. I've been to two reputable jeep experts in town, including robertson tire/ryno. The squeaking/grinding persists when accelerating, the faster I go the louder it gets, but when I hit the brakes the noise goes away completely. Upon inspection by the two shops, I received two hefty estimates that included u joints, cv joint r&r, ball joints, shocks, and stabilizer as possible culprit for the noise. After installing new u joints both sides and rebuilding the cv joint, paying a $1,000 shop bill, the squeak/grinding is still there. Robertson tire, so graciously charged me a half hour labor to pull apart brakes in the front to see if there's an issue- they discovered the brake indicators were put on wrong, saying that's where my squeak could be coming from. The service tech stated, we can just file the indicator down to where it's not an issue. I was relieved to find out a little indicator could cause so much trouble. I go to pick up my jeep from robertson tire, and as soon as I hop on the road, I hear the squeak again. Can you guys help me? I'm really banging my head against a wall over here trying to figure out what the problem may be. Am I ultimately looking at new brakes, rotors, and calipers all around or something different? Again, the squeak/grinding is intermittent and does not occur all the time, it's mostly after the vehicle has been driven 5-10 miles.



Thanks guys,


Mopar.

 

[Chris]

Hey guys, hope you like the title. I have a 2011 JK, It's lifted, but mostly a mall crawler. I'm having an issue finding a grinding/squeaking noise I'm hearing intermittently on my jeep. It only occurs after the jeep has been driven a few (5-10) miles, which is why shops are having trouble pinpointing the issue, because they only take the jeep around the corner. I've been to two reputable jeep experts in town, including robertson tire/ryno. The squeaking/grinding persists when accelerating, the faster I go the louder it gets, but when I hit the brakes the noise goes away completely. Upon inspection by the two shops, I received two hefty estimates that included u joints, cv joint r&r, ball joints, shocks, and stabilizer as possible culprit for the noise. After installing new u joints both sides and rebuilding the cv joint, paying a $1,000 shop bill, the squeak/grinding is still there. Robertson tire, so graciously charged me a half hour labor to pull apart brakes in the front to see if there's an issue- they discovered the brake indicators were put on wrong, saying that's where my squeak could be coming from. The service tech stated, we can just file the indicator down to where it's not an issue. I was relieved to find out a little indicator could cause so much trouble. I go to pick up my jeep from robertson tire, and as soon as I hop on the road, I hear the squeak again. Can you guys help me? I'm really banging my head against a wall over here trying to figure out what the problem may be. Am I ultimately looking at new brakes, rotors, and calipers all around or something different? Again, the squeak/grinding is intermittent and does not occur all the time, it's mostly after the vehicle has been driven 5-10 miles.



Thanks guys,


Mopar.

Given the symptoms you’ve described, here are a few things to consider:

Brake System: Since the noise goes away when you hit the brakes, it’s definitely worth investigating further. The brake indicators being misaligned could be causing intermittent squeaking, but if filing them down didn’t solve the problem, it might be worth checking if the brake pads are worn unevenly or if the pads themselves are sticking due to dust or debris.

Caliper Issues: Sometimes calipers can get stuck or not retract fully after braking, which could cause noise when you're moving but not when you brake. It might be worth having the calipers inspected thoroughly.

Wheel Bearings: Grinding noises could also be associated with worn wheel bearings. This could explain the noise worsening with speed. If you haven’t had the wheel bearings assessed, it might be a good option since they can make odd noises, too.

Drivetrain Components: Since you mentioned that the noise is only present after some mileage, it could potentially be something in the drivetrain that’s heating up. Keep an eye on the transfer case and differential oils — if they’re low or contaminated, you might experience strange noises.

Suspension Components: Sometimes, noise can come from loose or worn-out suspension parts, especially after a lift. Check the control arms, bushings, and any other suspension components for wear.

Tires: You’d be surprised how tire noise can sometimes mimic squeaks or grinding, especially if they’re not balanced or if there’s an irregular wear pattern.

It might be worth trying a different shop for a fresh set of eyes or even a second opinion if you haven’t already. Ideally, they could take it for a longer drive to replicate the issue and diagnose it properly.

Good luck, and I hope you get that pesky noise sorted out soon! Keep us posted!

 

[JeepJeezy]

Did anyone replace your u-joints on the drive shalf? I see you replaced them on both sides. Assuming youre talking about the front axle? I had a problem with a grind/squeak last year. Found out my needle bearings in the cap of 1 of the u-joints on the rear of my drive shaft was wasted. My buddy found which 1 it was by using an infrared thermometer on each cap. The wasted 1 was 15°F hotter than all the others. It's an inexpensive test to try. Damn. I just went back and reread your post again and saw it completely goes away when you hit the brakes. Is it instantly? On my WJ I had an issue with my rotors dust shield. It was ever so slightly bent. When I'd go faster the wind would cause the shield to bend and slightly rub the rotor. Took the front rotors off and you could see the dust shield had a shiny spot. Bent it back and my grind/squeak went away. These 2 things are cheap and or free to check.

 

[INTERSTELLAR11]

Given the symptoms you’ve described, here are a few things to consider:

Brake System: Since the noise goes away when you hit the brakes, it’s definitely worth investigating further. The brake indicators being misaligned could be causing intermittent squeaking, but if filing them down didn’t solve the problem, it might be worth checking if the brake pads are worn unevenly or if the pads themselves are sticking due to dust or debris.

Caliper Issues: Sometimes calipers can get stuck or not retract fully after braking, which could cause noise when you're moving but not when you brake. It might be worth having the calipers inspected thoroughly.

Wheel Bearings: Grinding noises could also be associated with worn wheel bearings. This could explain the noise worsening with speed. If you haven’t had the wheel bearings assessed, it might be a good option since they can make odd noises, too.

Drivetrain Components: Since you mentioned that the noise is only present after some mileage, it could potentially be something in the drivetrain that’s heating up. Keep an eye on the transfer case and differential oils — if they’re low or contaminated, you might experience strange noises.

Suspension Components: Sometimes, noise can come from loose or worn-out suspension parts, especially after a lift. Check the control arms, bushings, and any other suspension components for wear.

Tires: You’d be surprised how tire noise can sometimes mimic squeaks or grinding, especially if they’re not balanced or if there’s an irregular wear pattern.

It might be worth trying a different shop for a fresh set of eyes or even a second opinion if you haven’t already. Ideally, they could take it for a longer drive to replicate the issue and diagnose it properly.

Good luck, and I hope you get that pesky noise sorted out soon! Keep us posted!

 

[INTERSTELLAR11]

Given the symptoms you’ve described, here are a few things to consider:

Brake System: Since the noise goes away when you hit the brakes, it’s definitely worth investigating further. The brake indicators being misaligned could be causing intermittent squeaking, but if filing them down didn’t solve the problem, it might be worth checking if the brake pads are worn unevenly or if the pads themselves are sticking due to dust or debris.

Caliper Issues: Sometimes calipers can get stuck or not retract fully after braking, which could cause noise when you're moving but not when you brake. It might be worth having the calipers inspected thoroughly.

Wheel Bearings: Grinding noises could also be associated with worn wheel bearings. This could explain the noise worsening with speed. If you haven’t had the wheel bearings assessed, it might be a good option since they can make odd noises, too.

Drivetrain Components: Since you mentioned that the noise is only present after some mileage, it could potentially be something in the drivetrain that’s heating up. Keep an eye on the transfer case and differential oils — if they’re low or contaminated, you might experience strange noises.

Suspension Components: Sometimes, noise can come from loose or worn-out suspension parts, especially after a lift. Check the control arms, bushings, and any other suspension components for wear.

Tires: You’d be surprised how tire noise can sometimes mimic squeaks or grinding, especially if they’re not balanced or if there’s an irregular wear pattern.

It might be worth trying a different shop for a fresh set of eyes or even a second opinion if you haven’t already. Ideally, they could take it for a longer drive to replicate the issue and diagnose it properly.

Good luck, and I hope you get that pesky noise sorted out soon! Keep us posted!

thank you, chris! i will start checking things off the list soon. i hope i find the culprit soon too, its been a nightmare.


be easy

 

[INTERSTELLAR11]

Did anyone replace your u-joints on the drive shalf? I see you replaced them on both sides. Assuming youre talking about the front axle? I had a problem with a grind/squeak last year. Found out my needle bearings in the cap of 1 of the u-joints on the rear of my drive shaft was wasted. My buddy found which 1 it was by using an infrared thermometer on each cap. The wasted 1 was 15°F hotter than all the others. It's an inexpensive test to try. Damn. I just went back and reread your post again and saw it completely goes away when you hit the brakes. Is it instantly? On my WJ I had an issue with my rotors dust shield. It was ever so slightly bent. When I'd go faster the wind would cause the shield to bend and slightly rub the rotor. Took the front rotors off and you could see the dust shield had a shiny spot. Bent it back and my grind/squeak went away. These 2 things are cheap and or free to check.

Thank you for the tip! I will check into those. Yeah, I had driver and passenger replaced on axle shaft, i asked about the u joint on the drive shaft, but my mechanic told me that the rear u joint is not serviceable and i’d have to buy a new one.

 

[Jskunk]

My front driveshaft rzeppa joint went out but it started out as a strange noise just like you describe after I drove a few miles and would stop when braking firmly. I chased the brake system and suspension forever before realizing the boot had broken on the driveshaft. Initially I didnt realize it was the same issue but when I put in an aftermarket driveshaft the noise stopped and never came back.


Worth a shot.

 

[INTERSTELLAR11]

hey guys! thanks for the input and quick response on this thread. i took everyone’s advice, starting with the breaking system and taking it to a different shop for a look by a new set of eyes.providing an update: i went to firestone, told them the issues i was having for the past month or so. they charged me $10 for tire rotation, top to bottom inspection, and to look into the grinding/squeaking noise. after waiting in the waiting room for about 90 minutes, the shop mechanic says he wasn’t able to manipulate the noises i was hearing, which worried me, but he did say that i had a compressed caliper on the passenger front and after he tinkered with it, it was functioning properly again. he said that could have caused some noises, even though he didn’t hear any. i drive home later and THE SQUEAK IS GONE: i am thrilled.