2001 Jeep Laredo Chirping/Creaking Noise from Wheel

FOOSIEBUG

MEMBER
2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO
107,000 MILES

I have a 2001 Jeep Laredo with 109,000 miles. Over the past couple months it has been making a “chirping” sound in sync with the wheel rotation. It sounds like it is coming from the front passenger side. Also when I put on the brakes, right before it stops it makes a “creaking” noise—also from the same side. (The brakes are tight and seem to work fine). I was afraid of brake and/or wheel bearing problems. I had it checked out with a reliable shop. They said my brakes were in excellent shape, the wheel bearings were tight and they couldn’t find anything wrong----nor could they hear the noise. It is hard to hear on a busy street. You have to be in an underground garage, or driving when there are few cars on the road. Could you help with a possible diagnosis? Thank you! I am very frustrated and afraid it isn’t safe---though the mechanic shop assured me it was.

6 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

AWD OR 2WD. OR OTHER?

ENGINE SIZE?

HAVE YOU KEPT UP WITH "REAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE". ESPECIALLY WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN FLUIDS?

THE MEDIC

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Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 AT 8:20 PM

FOOSIEBUG

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Thank you for your response. It is a 2WD. I don't know the engine size--and don't know how to find out. I have consistently kept up with oil/fluid change schedules--but doubt if the complete factory "real scheduled maintenance" was followed. It's hard to say. Are you suggesting I should specifically have the "drive train fluids" checked?

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Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 AT 1:48 AM

FOOSIEBUG

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It is a 6-cylinder.

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Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 AT 2:05 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

I KNOW THE FEELING OF, IT CAN ONLY BE HEARD IN "QUIETNESS"

MAYBE YOU CAN PIN IT DOWN A LITTLE CLOSER WITH A PASSENGER HANGING HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOWS. FRONT AND BACK. WHILE YOU DO THIS

THE BEST PLACE I HAVE FOUND TO MAYBE MAKE IT LOUDER. IS TO DRIVE CLOSE BESIDE THE CONCRETE DIVIDERS BETWEEN THE LANES. FIND A BRIDGE WITH SIDE SIMILAR HIGH SIDES. OR EVEN BEHIND A GROCERY STORE OR STRIP MALL THAT HAS A LONG STRAIGHT STRETCH OF WALL.

TIGHT BEARINGS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE ANSWER. THEY COULD BE TOO TIGHT. SOME PEOPLE DO THIS BY "FEEL"."FEEL" IS NOT THE WAY MANUALS TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT!

YOU HAVE ALREADY RULED OUT A CV JOINT OR A FRONT DRIVE SHAFT. YOURS IS 2WD

. BUT THERE IS STILL A REAR ONE. AT THE BOTTOM IS MY '46 WILLYS, HE WILL DEMONSTRATE HOW TO CHECK THE "U JOINTS" ON YOUR REAR DRIVE SHAFT

DOES IT DO IT COASTING?

OTHER THINGS TO DO ARE,

WHEN YOU HEAR THE NOISE. BARELY RIDE THE BRAKES. IF THE SOUND GOES AWAY. USUALLY IT'S A BRAKE PAD ISSUE.(IT COULD ALSO BE A BEARING).I "DIY" SO SLINGING ANOTHER SET OF PADS ON IS NOT THAT EXPENSIVE FOR ME (FOR A TEST/ OR AS A LAST DITCH EFFORT).I'M NOT TELLING YOU TO DO THAT YET!

SWAP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITH THE LEFT REAR (TEMPORARILY). IF IT'S A TIRE ISSUE OR EVEN A CRACKED RIM, THE SOUND MAY HAVE MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND REARWARD

THEM UNKNOWN NOISES UPSET ME TOO, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S ONE OF MY JEEPS DOING IT!

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC

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Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 AT 12:25 PM

FOOSIEBUG

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Great info, Mr. "The Medic"! I will take all your suggestions and run with it--to the mechanic. The pic of your Jeep was great--thank you. Jeeps can be complicated beasts, but (unfortunately) I love them. Switching out the tires is my first course of business--brilliant suggestion. Thank you again for your help and expertise.