Front End Squeak (Pic and Video)

[BONFIRE074]

So iv been having this front end squeak for a while now, it went away, but about a week ago came back and worse than ever. I was first thinking it was the lower control arms, or a tie rod end, but now im thinking its the axle. When the steering wheel is being turned its sounds like its comimg from the middle, or center of the rim area. I know the boot has been like this before winter started, just never got around to doing it. (dumb i know) but now the squeak is so annoying i have to fix it. It Squeaks when i go over bumps, and the wheel is being turned. I didnt think an axle would make this type of noise, but either way it needs to be replaced. Does the ripped boot for 6 months now make sence for this noise?

PIC:



Video:


let me know what you guys think.

Another note - when my friend was turning the wheel, i put my fingers on the front lower control arm and could feel a tiny vibration. i dont know if thats normal for when the wheel is being turned, or could be the lower control arms? any advice appreciated

[BONFIRE074]

and sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, and video!

[aytheory]

that thing needed to be replace - now you probably need a axle rebuilt because you waited - instead of a 15 dollar boot

jack the car up hands on 3 and 9 and rock it - if there is any play control arms

[BONFIRE074]

that thing needed to be replace - now you probably need a axle rebuilt because you waited - instead of a 15 dollar boot

jack the car up hands on 3 and 9 and rock it - if there is any play control arms

Yes i know, anyway i ordered a whole new axle from Autoparts international and will be here tomorrow. I just had it jacked up and tried to move it at 3 and 9 and no movement.

[aytheory]

good then, replace axle and see if it still makes the noise

[BONFIRE074]

does anyone else suspect this being the culprit? thanks

[sixfiveoh]

Man you could have just gotten a new joint...

Those after market axles are trash

Just taking a guess, that noise could be something in the joint grinding when you turn the wheel?

[BONFIRE074]

Man you could have just gotten a new joint...

Those after market axles are trash

Just taking a guess, that noise could be something in the joint grinding when you turn the wheel?

new joint?

[Toyotatech]

From the picture I would guess the joint is not ruined due to the amount of grease in the boot and joint still so I would say just a boot would do. Bad joints click when turning. The squeeking is not defined enough to pin point.

[sixfiveoh]

new joint?

CV joint. The thing that your CV boot is covering. Does the car click when you turn sometimes?

[BONFIRE074]

well that was the reason i have been hesitating to replace it because i havnt heard it clicking yet. but a friend of mine today told me he thought he heard it clicking the other day when i left a parking lot. if it is clicking its obviously not loud yet. and its also hard to hear over my exhaust

[JoBuNY]

I'm fixing the same noise you got right now, mine was on the passenger side tho. My problem was the lower rear control arm. To be sure before replacing it, my mechanic dumped a ton of grease in the bushing to see if the noise went away, which it did. Now it's going back in the shop today to get that control arm replaced. Mine was making noise just like yours, on turns and bumps.....sounded like an old ass creaky door from a horror movie.

[BONFIRE074]

Ok guys it was the drivers side front lower control arm and fixed it today! so much nicer :D

[JoBuNY]

just curious, lower front or lower rear?

[BONFIRE074]

Ok guys it was the drivers side front lower control arm and fixed it today! so much nicer :D

also, i took the car to a parking lot and did circles left and right to see if the axle made any type of clicking noise, and i heard nothing, is it too late to just replace the boot?

[Toyotatech]

No. Just do the boot.