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Intermittent high pitched squeal when driving

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:48 pm
by greentouring
When shopping today and on the way back, I heard a squeal.

Opened the window still moving along, and it was a high pitched squeal that would cause people to stop and stare.

It’s coming for the driver’s side and is intermittent and only while the car’s rolling. It was too dark to check tonight, so will look tomoorw. I'm confident it's nothing serious, but where do you suggest I check?

I was thinking maybe a sticking brake caliper?

Thanks in advance
:D

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:59 pm
by sparky1972
could be a loose belt have you checked fan/powersteering belt

Re: Intermittent high pitched squeal when driving

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:06 pm
by stonesie
greentouring wrote:
I was thinking maybe a sticking brake caliper?

It sounds like it's brake related, could be glazed/worn out pads.

Strip them down and if they still have plenty of meat on them rub the pads on a sanding block, just to take the top layer off and then re-assemble with fresh copper grease and 99/100 that's that cured... just bare in mind that you will have to bed them in again for the first few miles.

Either way, you will have to push the piston back a bit so loosen the brake fluid cap first, you will feel if one is a bit tight.

Re: Intermittent high pitched squeal when driving

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 8:10 pm
by greentouring
Thanks for the quick responses, chaps.

I'll check it out tomorrow. Hoping it's just something simple as mentioned above.

In fact I'm sure it will be..........fingers crossed :)

Re: Intermittent high pitched squeal when driving

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:30 pm
by charlE30
Could a knackered hub bearing possible cause the noise??

Re: Intermittent high pitched squeal when driving

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:33 pm
by stonesie
It's unlikley, they're more of a droaning noise that varies with speed and cornering.

Another thing it could be is the backplate touching the disc if it's old and rusty.