Possible wheel bearing failure?
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Hey everybody. Just went driving in a little bit of mud today, and when I got back and headed to work, I noticed that at speeds of 30 and below, I have a squealing noise that is dependent on wheel speed coming from my front (I think) driver's side wheel. It gets worse when lightly braking, or when turning left or right, and sometimes disappears when traveling straight. Any ideas? I originally thought it was mud in the brakes, but the turning left/right aspect makes me doubt that, plus the fact that usually those things go away after only a mile or so.
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Philberto - Lifer
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It could be a small rock or pebble stuck between the caliper and brake rotor. Noises that come from worse things usually don't come and go unless it's internal TC. IMO
- bgwolfpack
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That was my first thought, but why would it disappear sometimes while driving straight versus turning? 
I'll have to take some time tomorrow at work and lift up the car.
I'll have to take some time tomorrow at work and lift up the car.My Build Thread | 2006 Trailblazer LS Desert Camping Edition **SOLD**
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Philberto - Lifer
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My wheel bearing was more of a bark... it would bark with the tire speed.
The definitive way to spot a wheel bearing is if the noise gets bad when you turn one way, but goes away or diminishes when you turn the other way. Should be kinda medium when you're driving straight.
Conventional wheel bearing wisdom says when there is weight on the wheel bearing (outside of the turn) it makes more noise. However, I found the opposite to be true for mine. Ended up zeroing in on it by putting the vehicle on jack stands and running 4wd. Easier to spot the sound when you're outside the vehicle than in.
Squealing does not generally imply wheel bearing, however.
Hope that helps.
The definitive way to spot a wheel bearing is if the noise gets bad when you turn one way, but goes away or diminishes when you turn the other way. Should be kinda medium when you're driving straight.
Conventional wheel bearing wisdom says when there is weight on the wheel bearing (outside of the turn) it makes more noise. However, I found the opposite to be true for mine. Ended up zeroing in on it by putting the vehicle on jack stands and running 4wd. Easier to spot the sound when you're outside the vehicle than in.
Squealing does not generally imply wheel bearing, however.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks. Looks like I'll pressure-wash everything first to see if there's anything in the brakes... I'm also due to inspect the chassis anyways, so may just make it a part of the whole thing.
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Philberto - Lifer
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It was a rock. After 61 miles of driving, and the noise progressively getting worse, the rock popped out and smacked my wheel-well liner a few houses down from home. Thanks for the help everybody.
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Philberto - Lifer
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