1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

I recently purchased a 99 Cherokee classic 2wd with about 80k miles on it.
Runs great except for a strange squealing noise from the front end. Sounds
like an electric motor with a bad bearing, that kind of squeal. Does this
intermittently only at highway speeds (50mph to 70 mph). It will squeal
for
a second or two and then stop for a while. I think I notice it from the
front more towards the right side and it reverberates through the dash
area.
The dealer thought it might be a front wheel bearing, so they repacked them
and I didn't hear the noise for a day. Dunno if that was a coincidence.

Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?

Thanks.

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

Daron did pass the time by typing:
> I recently purchased a 99 Cherokee classic 2wd with about 80k miles on it.
> Runs great except for a strange squealing noise from the front end. Sounds
> like an electric motor with a bad bearing, that kind of squeal. Does this
> intermittently only at highway speeds (50mph to 70 mph). It will squeal
> for
> a second or two and then stop for a while. I think I notice it from the
> front more towards the right side and it reverberates through the dash
> area.
> The dealer thought it might be a front wheel bearing, so they repacked them
> and I didn't hear the noise for a day. Dunno if that was a coincidence.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?

Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven component.
Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac compressor...

Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a squeel..
short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC cycles.

--
DougW

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

Daron did pass the time by typing:
> I recently purchased a 99 Cherokee classic 2wd with about 80k miles on it.
> Runs great except for a strange squealing noise from the front end. Sounds
> like an electric motor with a bad bearing, that kind of squeal. Does this
> intermittently only at highway speeds (50mph to 70 mph). It will squeal
> for
> a second or two and then stop for a while. I think I notice it from the
> front more towards the right side and it reverberates through the dash
> area.
> The dealer thought it might be a front wheel bearing, so they repacked them
> and I didn't hear the noise for a day. Dunno if that was a coincidence.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?

Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven component.
Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac compressor...

Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a squeel..
short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC cycles.

--
DougW

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

Daron did pass the time by typing:
> I recently purchased a 99 Cherokee classic 2wd with about 80k miles on it.
> Runs great except for a strange squealing noise from the front end. Sounds
> like an electric motor with a bad bearing, that kind of squeal. Does this
> intermittently only at highway speeds (50mph to 70 mph). It will squeal
> for
> a second or two and then stop for a while. I think I notice it from the
> front more towards the right side and it reverberates through the dash
> area.
> The dealer thought it might be a front wheel bearing, so they repacked them
> and I didn't hear the noise for a day. Dunno if that was a coincidence.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?

Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven component.
Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac compressor...

Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a squeel..
short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC cycles.

--
DougW

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

Daron did pass the time by typing:
> I recently purchased a 99 Cherokee classic 2wd with about 80k miles on it.
> Runs great except for a strange squealing noise from the front end. Sounds
> like an electric motor with a bad bearing, that kind of squeal. Does this
> intermittently only at highway speeds (50mph to 70 mph). It will squeal
> for
> a second or two and then stop for a while. I think I notice it from the
> front more towards the right side and it reverberates through the dash
> area.
> The dealer thought it might be a front wheel bearing, so they repacked them
> and I didn't hear the noise for a day. Dunno if that was a coincidence.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?

Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven component.
Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac compressor...

Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a squeel..
short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC cycles.

--
DougW

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in
news:SbhBc.67747$%T.37261@okepread05:

>>
>> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?
>
> Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven
> component. Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac
> compressor...
>
> Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a
> squeel.. short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC
> cycles.
>


There is no change in the noise with the A/C on or off. If it were an
engine component, would I not be able to hear it when I rev the engine
up to 3000 rpm an hold it as if I were driving at 50mph?

Thanks

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in
news:SbhBc.67747$%T.37261@okepread05:

>>
>> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?
>
> Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven
> component. Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac
> compressor...
>
> Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a
> squeel.. short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC
> cycles.
>


There is no change in the noise with the A/C on or off. If it were an
engine component, would I not be able to hear it when I rev the engine
up to 3000 rpm an hold it as if I were driving at 50mph?

Thanks

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in
news:SbhBc.67747$%T.37261@okepread05:

>>
>> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?
>
> Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven
> component. Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac
> compressor...
>
> Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a
> squeel.. short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC
> cycles.
>


There is no change in the noise with the A/C on or off. If it were an
engine component, would I not be able to hear it when I rev the engine
up to 3000 rpm an hold it as if I were driving at 50mph?

Thanks

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in
news:SbhBc.67747$%T.37261@okepread05:

>>
>> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?
>
> Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven
> component. Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac
> compressor...
>
> Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a
> squeel.. short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC
> cycles.
>


There is no change in the noise with the A/C on or off. If it were an
engine component, would I not be able to hear it when I rev the engine
up to 3000 rpm an hold it as if I were driving at 50mph?

Thanks

Re: 1999 Cherokee Classic front end noise - help needed.
 

Daron did pass the time by typing:
> "DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in
> news:SbhBc.67747$%T.37261@okepread05:
>
>>>
>>> Anyone have any suggestions on this problem?
>>
>> Does it happen when the AC is on? Your describing a belt driven
>> component. Anything from an idler to water pump/alternator/ps pump/ac
>> compressor...
>>
>> Of those only the AC compressor cycles. But usually that does a
>> squeel.. short pause...squeel...short pause...squeel...etc. as the AC
>> cycles.
>>
>
>
> There is no change in the noise with the A/C on or off. If it were an
> engine component, would I not be able to hear it when I rev the engine
> up to 3000 rpm an hold it as if I were driving at 50mph?

Sometimes. Remember that the engine isn't under any load when your
in neutral. The bit about feeling the vibration leads me next to U joints
but since you have 2WD, that would more likely come from the back.

Next time it happens try putting the Jeep in Neutral and see if the
vibration goes away. If it doesn't try lightly pressing the brakes.

If it goes away with pressing the brakes you might have a dragging shoe
or your pads are so thin the wear indicator is making noise.

Good luck,

--
DougW