4x4jeepmanthing

Hey guys,

i have got a very sharp squeal no matter if i was turning left or right. When driving straight i can faintly hear something (likely brakes) rubbing, and this doesnt go away but rather cant be heard at high speeds. Its only between 30-50 mph that i usually hear it , but also when going very slow turning to park i can hear sharp squeals. the noise has to be metal on metal.

Is this unit bearings, Ball joints? ball joints seemed ok a month ago when i changed the drag link and tie rod. Is there anything else that could flex the brakes to make noise?

The real kicker is i dont have a wide enough garage to remove the axles. I need to really understand what im looking at if i have to ask a garage to help (loathing that idea)

teamarctic

Check all the bearing on your serpentine belt system.

Sorry just re read your post. If you think its brakes, pull the tires off and check them out. Could be just you pads getting low and the wear tabs hitting the rotors.

4x4jeepmanthing

forget the belts, this sound is front axle and something that is breaks, ball joints, or hubs most likely unless im forgetting something that could make this sound. The dust shields have been checked and Im noticing that these squeals are more noticeable after the jeep is warm. perhaps metal expanding.

when ball joints or hubs fail HPD30 what sounds might i get for either?

thank you for your help

jordan96xj

ball joints = thumps, bumps, clicks, pops, steering stiffness, steering uneveness (like a dislocated/bad shoulder socket on a human)

hubs = grinding, whirring, scraping, chirping, screeching, clicking (like dry skateboard wheel bearings)

4x4jeepmanthing

Im leaning towards unit bearings then, but the odd thing is it doesnt do it all the time. Perhaps they are just starting on their way out?

jordan96xj

Bearings don't stay in one place, they move around in a race. The bearings on top taking less weight, the bearings on bottom taking more. So as they breakdown you could have the weight of the vehicle riding on some good ones for a while, and then some bad ones.

For unit bearings, jack the front and feel for fore/aft and up/down and in/out play in the wheel. Then spin the wheel and listen for a sandy/gritty/rough rotation vs. a smooth lubricated rotation. This test is not always 100% but its quick and easy.

4x4jeepmanthing

ok so breaks look good,pulleys looks good. Ive got two sounds that sound paired with wheel speed. one is a high shriek, and the other if i blind folded you, you may says it sounds like a low volume train horn haha. if i knew of a way to put my phones audio clips on here i would!

4x4jeepmanthing

I know how to remove the hubs but please give your opinions on how difficult it is to remove these.

I have the hp d30 and can only put a jack stand under the passenger side, so the turn the wheel and socket trick won't work.

jordan96xj

Mine were pretty bad (fused), but it wasn't a bad job over all.

You can work them off a little at a time using cold chisels at the seam where it meets the knuckle. (that's what I did). Tapping all around them with a hammer as you go.

You can also run the hub bolts out about 1/2 inch and tap them on the bolt head from behind the knuckle with a hammer a little at a time.

You can also get a slide hammer / hub puller (many big chain auto parts stores will rent these for free).

I used a small MAP torch as well to help make sure I got the hub bolts out without damaging the heads and making the job any harder.

Someone asked this same question recently, and most people agreed that it was a about 4-6 out of 10 job in terms of difficulty. Not too bad. I think mine was pretty bad (due to rust and the hubs being original 20 year olds), and it still was only a 6 out of 10.

You cant put a jack stand on each end of the axle? Normally, there is at least the spot under the lower control arm bracket on each side. Does your jackstand not fit there?

4x4jeepmanthing

That is correct my jack stand will not fit between the CA and the bracket. I can do do the job but worry how likely is the axle to be stuck to the bearing. I have an apartment garage with limited room , does the hub usually pull the shafts?

jordan96xj

Mine were 20 year old factory originals with rust. The axles were not stuck to the hubs. I'm sure it could happen, but it isn't something you see mentioned often in XJ posts, so I'm guessing that it is not a -common- problem. The metal used in the inner portion of the hub were the axle goes through is fairly high quality. The outer portion of the hub was very rusty, but the inner portion was definitely less prone to corrosion.

Most tutorials I've seen simply show the axle nut being put on the end of the axle and a large hammer to tap the axle inwards to ensure that it separates cleanly from the hub. I did the same, with no trouble.

Because you can check that the axle isn't stuck right after removing the axle nut, even if it is fused to the hub (which i doubt), you are not -that far- into the job. You could always put the nut back on and walk away. So there isn't much to lose.

jordan96xj

Here is a HEAP of JEEP video of the process. His hubs looked a lot like mine in terms of age and rust.

4x4jeepmanthing

I believe im going with timken hub units. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to find these i was thinking rockauto.

Also if im correct 97-99 should all be the same hub unit yes? i keep seeing different part numbers whats the difference?

4x4jeepmanthing

ok guys no sooner than my last post i did find an informative link to what hub i need. though i found it from not looking for it. others looking for hubs please see https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/199...rotors-130568/


jordan96xj thanks for the videos. Im fairly mechanically inclined and do understand whats involved in this process. the video I saw was the first that kinda showed the struggle of removal.

PLEASE all use this as an informative time to post what to expect and what you have had to do to get the hub off and the new one in!

im working on a 99 xj the axle is a (97 i believe) HPd30. I think I have cast rotors and hubs because they do rust.

4x4jeepmanthing

Ill pull the rotors and check the bearings