front wheel bearing, intremittent slight squeeking Options

[tomh]

about every 4th-5th time i drive the car their is a slight squeeling coming from the front left.
could this be a bad bering or maybe it is just starting to dry up?
It usualy just goes away in a few minutes then I forget about it till i hear it again several weeks later.
What should I try first?

[pcar916]

I'd wager it's not a bearing problem because if it's dry to the point of a squeak then it would have flown apart already and/or destroyed your spindle and hub. If it's a cyclic squeak, more than likely it's the brakes. How long has it been since you inspected those parts? Lots of pads squeak with dust build-up.

1. I'd check the brake pads for excessive wear (at least) every year on a street car. More often if you drive like you own it! While you're at it.

2. If it is the caliper(s) then both need to be replaced or rebuilt, especially if the rubber boots are cracked or torn. Calipers (and Master cylinders) will go bad when the fluid isn't bled regularly. I advise folks to bleed the brakes every year on a street car with DOT 3/4 fluid, although a two year interval might be ok according to ATE. Mine get heated often so I bleed 'emevery six months. More often at the track.

3. If you're like most folks it's been many years since the bearings were inspected and re-packed, or replaced if they're pitted and/or blued from heat caused by dry or dirty grease. Whether you re-use the old ones or replace, pack 'em with new synthetic wheel bearing grease and replace the seals. New wheel bearings and seals aren't very expensive.

If it's not a cyclic squeak it could also be other stuff like the shock bushings, sway-bar bushings, lower control-arm bushings, or even hood hinges (right JT?). The last one's not likely... but happened so I'm mentioning it. You can usually find these by having a friend bounce each corner of your car. While they're doing that you can often feel the part vibrating with your hand.

Good luck