I have the sound out crunching/squeeking coming from my driver-side front wheel area. It is NOT the strut bearing, but it's coming from the wheel/hub assembly. It's not a sharp, metal-on-metal sound, like a brake-wear indicator. It's 2-distinct sounds. They are:

1. When taking off and letting out the clutch, it makes the crunching/squeeking noise until in motion, then it disappears.
2. Once in motion, there's a constant, but VERY slight metal-on-metal sound.

Could it be:

1. Ball joints going bad? They look weathered (142K miles/12 years old)
2. Wheel bearings starting to go bad?

Have others had similar symptoms? Or what are the symptoms you've experienced when your ball-joints are starting to fade? And your wheel bearings?

 

Have you replaced front sway bar end links?

 

yes, they were replaced about 2 years ago. Replaced with Energy Suspension components. Not the RED ones, but black ones that look like STOCK but are much harder.

I don't suspect it's them, but it's worth trying to lubricate. Thx.

 

I doubt it's the endlink bushings, but anything's possible I suppose.

I'd say you're on the right track, if you got a video or something of the sound we might be of more help. I'd put my money on the balljoints, unless your wheel bearings are REALLY worn to shit. I noticed more of a reverberating humming at highway speeds ("vum-vum-vum") when my wheel bearing went.

Jack up your car and try to push around your front wheels. If they have any fore and aft play or up and down play, then that wheel bearing's shot, but if they don't then they're probably okay.

 

I think you nailed it with CV joints myself. One way to test the CV joint is to turn the wheel all the way one direction - to lock, then take off slow. If it snaps, crackles and pops ... well, I would guess CVs. Like mentioned, a vid would help a lot too.

 

buy a new axle. they are like 170 shipped and you can install it in like 20 minutes.