hey guys i have been noticing that when i am going down my road with my windows down i am hearing a squeeking noise coming from my front end. I am thinking it might be a wheel bearing and also when i go over speed bumps and my truck rocks from side to side i hear a clunking noise i am guessing this is a sign of bad ball joints? thanks for all your help and advice truck has 162000 miles

 

Could be ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, bad shocks, bad wheel bearings, etc. Best to jack the truck up and check each of the parts to see what's bad. If you haven't done front end work before, best to take it to a good front end shop and get an estimate for the needed repairs.

 

^Yeah what he said. Additionally could be sway bar bushings on the links and/or on the frame mount, body mount...

Can you reproduce the sound at slow speed like parking lot? If so, then get a helper to drive and you walking along to listen and find the bugger.

 

i've never front end work before, is it that hard to do that i need to take it to a shop to do for me?

 

A bearing will usually be sort of a humming noise, and get worse when you turn (putting more load on that bearing).

A squeak sounds more like a u-joint or driveshaft. Does it sound like birds? Probably your bearing in the double cardan joint. If so, do it soon, they can break your t-case if it seizes.

 

Front end work is not hard to do, however, you do need a few special tools (ball joint press, pickle fork, etc.) and some basic hand tools such as pry bar, breaker bar, good set of sockets, combination wrenches, floor jack and jack stands, etc. If you have good auto mechanical ability, feel confident in doing the job and can afford to have your vehicle in pieces for a period of time if things don't come apart and go back together as quickly as you thought, then by all means go for it. You can also download the factory service manual from this site and read about the process to gain additional familiarity. You will also need to get a front end alignment once the job has been completed.

Otherwise, pay 'da man at the front end shop.

 

I've had bad wheel bearings that were high pitched chirps and the low hum. 162,000miles is primetime for worn out bearings, ball joints,etc...good time to look it over good.

 

ok would like tires plus or somewhere like that good to take it too

 

I won't ever take anything there again. Just my experience. Ask around for a good alignment/tire shop. If your just getting a good deal on tires they may be alright, but you have other work to be done, I would look for a place that specializes and has a good reputation. jmo.

 

My wheel bearingss were completely shot, to the point where I dont even know how I hadnt crashed due to them just exploding, and they just made a Really loud squeal whenever I turned a certain way. That's it