Squeak while turning...

[Maxamilious]

'01 Grand Prix SE.

I'm getting a pretty minor squeak from the front left wheel whenever I turn right. I can't quite remember what I looked up last time I read about this problem. Anyone have a good idea of what the problem is, and what an estimated repair cost would be?

Many thanks.

[unclejohnny_69]

Is it a constant squeek while the wheel is turned or does it only squeek when you turn the wheel more that it's currently turned?

[Maxamilious]

After driving a bit more, I'm pretty sure it squeaks as the wheel moves. It's only noticable when driving with the window down, and it's more prominent while turning. I can also hear it when I drive by curbs. The sound kind of echos off of them, and of course, with the window down, it can often be heard. Wheel bearing I'm guessing.

[4GT2Specialedition]

Does the squeak stop when you apply the brakes?

[the.dude]

Not that I have a definite answer for you, but I will throw in my 2 cents. My 98 GTP did this for 2 years, until I traded it for and 04. I changed all sorts of things around the wheels and still had the squeak when I turn right. I changed the hubs, rotors, pads. The only thing I didn't try and what I finally decided on was the actual drive axle. Good Luck.

[Paul79UF]

You might have to replace your wheel bearing.

Check this page for instructions - http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/G...ent/index.html

[Niq]

Originally Posted by Paul79UF

You might have to replace your wheel bearing.

Check this page for instructions - http://www.paulstravelpictures.com/G...ent/index.html

That is an AWESOME Step by step!! Thank you very much for your time and effort putting it on your site….

[the.dude]

I swore that my bearings were the cause. They weren't. hope you have better luck than me!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Paul79UF

Then you can line up the metal bracket, re-attach the three 13mm wheel hub bolts, put on the brake caliper with the two 15mm bolts, replace the brake rotor, and tighten the axle nut with a torque wrench. I read on a message board that the torque settings for the caliper and hub bolts was about 100 foot pounds. Finally, the wheels can go back on with the lug nuts torqued down to about 100lbs. That's it! I hope you found this guide useful for your wheel bearing hub assembly replacement.

Overall nice pics and a well detailed procedure.

However, I see some gray or questionable areas/advice at the end of the procedure concerning torque values and the procedure sort of unravels itself.

Caliper bolts = 63 lb-ft
Caliper bracket bolt = 137 lb-ft
Hub to steering knuckle bolts (X3) = 60 lb-ft

The axle nut torque varies based on whether the hub/bearing is GM/AC Delco or aftermarket. For aftermarket it is recommended to follow the hub manufacturer's torque value, if specified. For GM OEM consult the appropriate GM Factory Service Manual (FSM) based on the year of your Grand Prix. Also, torque values will vary depending on whether a new axle nut/washer is used which is always recommended. I've seen values of 96 lb-ft, 118 lb-ft, 151 lb-ft, 159 lb-ft, and 184 lb-ft(with new axle nut) for the axle nut published.

One aftermarket hub manufacturer, SKF recommends the following for Grand Prix using their hubs which appears to match the FSM specs:

'01-'04 - 159 ft-lbs
'98-'00 - 118 ft-lbs
'95-'97 - 151 ft-lbs

On my '97 GTP, I went with the AC Delco brand replacement hub torqued to 151 lb-ft. Overall, this is a good candidate for our Tips & Maintenance subforum.