Squeaking noise coming from front passenger wheel area. Help!

[-DSM2NR-]

I was replacing my clutch and flywheel so I had to drop the tranny and remove the transaxle. Now that everything is back on there's some kind of loud squeaking noise coming from the front passenger wheel area where the transaxle is. The noise is there when I start moving from 1st gear or when I drive over unevenly paved streets and such. Anyone know what the problem could be?

 

[Raph]

Your brake dust cover is rubbing on your rotor?? ..is your splashguard loose..rubbing the tire? maybe you should put it on 4 jackstands and have a buddy turn the wheel while you try to locate the noise..

 

[-DSM2NR-]

It's way to loud to be the splashguard rubbing the tire. It's kind of like a squeaking crackling kind of noise. Not really sure how to explain it but I guess I'll have to tear the car down again

 

[ZmanIV]

Do you have urethane bushings or motor mounts installed?

 

[-DSM2NR-]

Nope. The noise wasn't there before I took the transaxle off. It suddenly appeared when I put everything back together.

 

[Raph]

Thats what i mean, while yanking out the axles,you might have bent a dust shield behind the rotor-- just grab a flatheaded screw driver and push it back(you dont have the take the wheel off to do this)

 

[-DSM2NR-]

But the thing that surprises me (even if it is the dust shield) is that the noise wasn't there the first 20 miles or so after I started driving the car again. The noise started appearing about 20 miles later.
I'll look into that however but it'll probably end up being something far more complicated instead

 

[The_EE]

Did you have to unhook the lateral arm?

could be ball joint. My car was doing that, sounded like two people jumping on a bed from the driver side front wheel. Ball joint failed shortly after.

 

[-DSM2NR-]

I did some more investigating and the sound is there even when the car isn't moving at all and the rpms are low (400-500rpm). It's not constand however. It stais for a second or two then goes away and randomly appears again. Could it be the motor mount perhaps? Or maybe something else?

 

[eclipsh]

Did you grease your new throw out bearing and install the clip on it right? It could be causing your noise.

Have you checked the fluid level in your tranny?

Just some things to think about before tearing the car apart.

 

[-DSM2NR-]

Did you grease your new throw out bearing and install the clip on it right? It could be causing your noise.

Have you checked the fluid level in your tranny?

Just some things to think about before tearing the car apart.

It's not the same noise a bad tob makes. I know this because I've replaced a bad tob before.
The engine vibrates a little on lower rpms so I'm guessing the vibration is causing something to rub against something else and causing the noise. But what's making the noise? That's the question

 

[eclipsh]

Did you get the flywheel resurfaced? If so you may have a flywheel bolt backed out but that sounds like your car is exploding, so probably not.

I'd suggest checking all the bolts and also getting out a mechanic's stethescope to try and find the source of the noise. They work wonders.

 

[-DSM2NR-]

where can I get one of those stethoscopes from?

 

[eclipsh]

Most good tool vendors will have one. I doubt you'll find it at Autozone but check NAPA, Sears or an independent vendor.

 

[RedWagon]

I know they sell mechanics stethescopes over at Harborfreight for cheap. Did you replace your TOB when you did your clutch? Those tend to make a grinding squealing noise. Also check your tranny fluid like he said. Maybe a wheel bearing?