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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Jul 3, 2011 18:50:11 GMT -5
The other day I was pulling the trailer and as I was backing it in the driveway I heard this squeaking sound as I was backing in. My first thought was springs on the trailer or maybe it was coming from my tow vehicle. I have no idea so wondering if you all could direct me on how to diagnose what and where the squeaking is coming from?
I've never noticed it prior to now so think it's a new sound. I looked at all the springs and those look good on the trailer. Could it be my shocks or struts on the car? I only noticed it when backing the trailer in and I suspect it's not coming from my car but rather the trailer but I have no idea where to begin to find the cause of the sound.
Is squeaking a indication of something that needs my attention...like immediately or a clue that something is getting worn? I would think squeaky sounds can't be good.
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Jul 3, 2011 18:57:05 GMT -5
Just got off the phone with my restoration guy and he thinks it's the ball. He said to grease my ball. (um, that sort of came out sounding wrong) But you get what I'm saying LOL! In any case, he said they just did the bearings so it can't be that and suspects the ball. Anyone else had a squeaky ball?
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Post by universalexports on Jul 3, 2011 20:31:32 GMT -5
no squeaky balls here, although I have only pulled my camper once, I have pulled my trailer alot, and never heard it squeak.
it does sound plausible though.
you mentioned you were backing into the drive way, if this causes a greater angle on the ball/hitch or something, that might be it, if you have leaf springs, it could be them or the bushings in them.
now, as for the tow vehicle, several things can cause a squeak, the first being the brake pad wear indicators, (little fork looking piece on the brake pad) they are designed to make contact with the rotor, when the brake pads get almost wore out and will cause a squeak when you hit the brakes.
although I have also heard the occasional squeak from brake dust build up on the rotors, usually a good car washing with a power washer will clean it and stop that.
if your vehicle has a sway bar, they are notorious for their bushings squeaking.
I guess I am saying it could be a lot of things, get someone outside the vehicle and have them listen as you move/turn/brake/reverse
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Post by LittleVintageTrailer on Jul 3, 2011 22:22:38 GMT -5
OK, I'm feeling a bit dumb here. We got in the car to go see the fireworks show and as we were backing out of the driveway guess what I hear? Yep, that darn squeaking. So it's not the trailer, it's my tow vehicle. Here is the odd part though, it only happens when you hit the break while going in reverse. If I break at a stop light or the any other time going forward I don't hear it.
I am glad (I think) that it's the car and not the trailer because I imagine it's my breaks acting up or something.
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Post by universalexports on Jul 3, 2011 22:52:28 GMT -5
well I done some googling, and this seems like what I was describing and was a "best answer" to the same question, why do my brakes squeak when backing up?
"I do brake maintenance on my own vehicles and have for 35 years. Brake manufacturers say that squealing is just from dust on the pads or shoes and is normal. You don't say if you have a late model car with disc brakes on the rear or not. If they are disk brakes it is doubly normal for them to squeal. On some models of cars it cannot be stopped. If you buy a can or brake cleaner at an auto parts store and remove the wheels and wash down the brakes and drum or disk the squealing will go away for a while but it will come back as soon as a little dust builds up. One other thing if these are disk brakes this may be the wear indicators rubbing. They will sound like a high frequency whistle that may be intermittent only when you break or on curves and they can squeal when backing up.
Go to a reputable car repair shop if you can't do it yourself and tell them to inspect the brakes and to show you any problems they can tell what percent of the pads or shoes are worn and if you need repairs buy the highest grade pad or shoe you can get. Most of these have a lifetime warranty and you never have to pay for pads or shoes again only labor. The national brake specialty chains will not offer this.
If the car is nose diving when you apply brakes in forward motion your back brakes have a problem. If You ever hear scraping metal to metal you have a serious problem that should be attended to immediately. On most cars 70-80% of the breaking is done on the front and 20-30% on the back.
You can spend hundreds on this problem but when it comes right down to it is a design flaw in the disks combined with the dust. You may be able to improve it but you will never fix it unless the maker does a recall and installs better designed disks and then who knows they may squeal.
Incidentally squealing brakes are the worst on European made cars and even the dealers say it is normal. Why be embarrassed about something that is normal".
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