Severe Squeeking need advice

[Mr-Jack]

So I bought my wife a 2005 Denali before I deployed, and she says since a few days after owning it, it squeaks all the time. Need some suggestions as to what to do. I'm pretty well rounded as a mechanic, just need some direction/experience.

So most of the time it gets worse under braking conditions, but the squeaking still occurs while under general driving conditions. I'm leaning towards a full brake job and new Arnotts in the rear and replacing the front shocks. Not sure if the wheel bearings are going, but sure seems to be a lot of squeaking going on, and it's hard to pin-point where it's coming from.

I was thinking about starting with the brakes for sure. But sounds kind of like an "airy" sound when i'm braking. The compressor runs longer than it should. I don't know what normal is for this suspension because we obviously bought it used. I might have to pull it in the shop and start greasing the fittings, but I don't want to mask where the problem is coming from, and I don't know how well the vehicle was kept from the PO.

What kind of front shocks are y'all running?

Any suggestions as to where to start hunting for the problem area to narrow it down? Power steering and brake fluid is good. Squeaks while turning stopping and going straight LOL.

Thanks for the help fellas.

Jack

 

[SLCHOE]

Id start by isolating the squeak.

With the vehicle sitting and engine off, jounce the front of the vehicle up and down. Does it squeak?

Now jounce the rear. Does it squeak?

With the vehicle sitting and idling, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. Does it squeak?

If you still havent found the squeak, jack up the front of the vehicle and spin each wheel individually listining for the squeak. Do the same in the rear.

 

[Mr-Jack]

well I went out real quick and bounced up and down on the front and back, no squeaking. then turned the wheel lock to lock, and no squeaks either. didn't have time to jack it up at the moment because I have to go to work this evening and need to get some sleep...

I have plenty of jack stands to set the truck on stands and turn all the wheels to see what's going on.

I did notice the bellows on the rear air shocks are cracking pretty good, so i'll order the replacements for those. I didn't realize the air line was so small. Maybe if it's not raining when I get home from work, i'll jack it up and spin them.

Without taking the wheels off, i'm sure I can distinguish between bearing and rotor rubbing sounds, would it be a good idea to grease zerk fittings while i'm under prior to replacing parts? (I know it couldn't hurt obviously, just don't know if I should do it before anything else) I've also heard that bushings in the suspension can squeak. is there a specific lubricant I should use or think about going poly?

Thanks again.

Jack

 

[SLCHOE]

Tie rod ends can squeak if they're dry. Take a look at those and make sure that the boot is still intact. Another culprit is the ball-joints. Look at those as well.

After looking at the front-end components I'd grease everything in the front end that has a zerk on it, then take it for a drive.