Okay, I've been getting a squeal coming from my front axle for the last week or so. It sounds exactly like the front pads are on the safety tabs. Even enough that the sound stops when I brake. When you are off the brakes and driving around 35 mph, it's loud enough to call dogs. I figure it's pads and buy a set. Yesterday I yank the front tires off and my existing pads have about 75% on them. I check the back pads thinking that maybe the sound was coming from the back but the pads look great. At a loss, I jack back up the front end, grab the tire at 12 and 6 and lift it up and down. (This is how I was taught to check the wheel bearings on a Toyota.) Sure enough, there is slop. Instantly I think Unit Bearings. Later on I was talking to a friend and he said the slop I felt was ball joints, not wheel bearings and that I should have grabbed the tire at 3 and 9 to check wheel bearings. (I have always used 3 and 9 to check tie rod ends on my Toyota.)

Anyway, sorry for the long post but I am financially strapped at the moment and will have to borrow money to get this fixed. Because of that, I want to make sure it's the unit bearings! Please help me...

 

I had front wheel bearings go at like 70000... I just noticed the nasty noise. At about 35 to 45 was when id hear it the most after that the exhaust would kill it... you have to buy the whole hub assembly... and a like 15lb sledge...and beer.. you will be able to watch the ball joints move if they are bad. But they don't make any noise other than popping and clicking. If you tear it down that far might as well change them too... you'll need that same hammer and a lot of patience... they give eventually

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Those hub assemblies are ridiculously expensive... napa has the best price around here. Upper ball joints aren't too bad forgot what lowers are... nothings cheap with these stupid things

 

Well, sounds like the unit bearings are the culprit. Time to find some cash before it sezies.

 

Ok.... is your unit bearing my wheel bearing? Never heard it called a unit bearing before. Just learnin

 

And as for checking the wheel bearings by grabbing the tire at 12 and 6 you would just have to be able to see which is loose the wheel bearing or the ball joints. The other way at 9 and 3 you would be checking for loose steering components ie tie rods drag link ect. Anyways this is the way I was taught and has worked for me. And yes does sound like wheel bearings to me with the "mystery" noise and looseness.

 

Yes. They are non-servicable and in a unit so they are called "unit bearings" or "wheel bearing assy."

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That's what I thought. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

might as well check your axle joints while you are tore down.

 

I assume you are talking about the u-joint between the inner and outer axle shafts? I'm planning on it! I will also double check the tie-rod ends and the ball joints. I just don't know how I'm going to pay for them if they are bad!