Mechanics: Have a car question/ wheel noise
Hey guys. My wife's 2003 Pontiac Aztec has had both front wheel bearings go out on it already. We replaced one side two years ago and the other about 6 months ago.
Anyway, it sounds like something's wrong with the front passenger side wheel or break. You can be driving down the road and it's completely quiet and then all of a sudden, it gradually starts this high pitched squealing. Even when maintaining speed and not using the breaks at all. It will do this for a little while and then all of a sudden stop. Most of the time, it won't come back the entire trip. Then after it's sat for a while and you start it back up again and go to take off, it will squeal for a while and then when you hit the breaks, it will change pitch, but then eventually go away again.
Does anybody know what this could be? Thank in advance.
Anyway, it sounds like something's wrong with the front passenger side wheel or break. You can be driving down the road and it's completely quiet and then all of a sudden, it gradually starts this high pitched squealing. Even when maintaining speed and not using the breaks at all. It will do this for a little while and then all of a sudden stop. Most of the time, it won't come back the entire trip. Then after it's sat for a while and you start it back up again and go to take off, it will squeal for a while and then when you hit the breaks, it will change pitch, but then eventually go away again.
Does anybody know what this could be? Thank in advance.
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Warning tab on the brake pad, letting you know that the pads are due to be replaced. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by swamp_thing
Warning tab on the brake pad, letting you know that the pads are due to be replaced.
most likely not, warning tabs are not on most newer vehicles or new brakes pads these days.0 -
quote:Originally posted by swamp_thing
Warning tab on the brake pad, letting you know that the pads are due to be replaced.
Sounds likely..0 -
Warning pad would squeal all the time, not off and on.. 0 -
Not necessarily so select. I have personally seen them do it part time, as they do expand and contract some with heat, also the pad can move ever so slightly and make or break contact with the rotor. Just saying that it is the probable cause IMHO.
And by the way a quick check of the autozone site will show you the pads with warning sensors attached, for those that think they don't have them.[:D]0 -
sounds like a wheel bearing to me 0 -
Or the hydraulics is slightly rusty 0 -
It's a Pontiac.[:D] 0 -
Sounds like either a warning tab on the brake pad or a dragging brake pad. The cheap pads (if they have ever been replaced) will make I high pitch squeek or squeel when dragging. 0 -
I just put new disc brake rotors and pads on the wifes Marquis and my Suburban. They all had wear indicator tabs on them. I used the ceramic pads on mine because I hate all the brake dust. They seem to be doing well, however they do have a very slight squeal when the brakes are applied lightly at low speeds. Sounds like a bearing problem to me. 0 -
You've got a gravel lodged between your caliper and wheel. Or maybe not. 0 -
I would agree that it is most likely the wear indicator for the brake pads. Had a high pitched squealing coming from the brakes on my girlfriend's car(1996 Pontaic Grand am) a little while back. Checked the pads and sure enough they were about gone. Not so sure about a wheel bearing, unless it is shimmieing(sp?) real bad down the road.
Jon0 -
Thinking about this logically, a wheel bearing that is squealing is screaming out from lack of lubrication and impending failure. The longer you drive, the hotter it is going to get and instead of the noise stopping it will increase. That is of course until the bearing locks up and stops not only the squeal but turning as well. The brake wear indicator is where it is going to be. Also, you stated that the noise was indeed affected by applying the brakes. The wheel bearing will not be affected by this action. Check the pads, visually looking at the distance between the indicator and the rotor and you will find your problem. Dave 0 -
I didn't think front-wheel-drive cars have front wheel bearings; only CV joints. 0 -
How do you know it is from the Brakes? Might be a worn fanbelt/serpentine belt or the tensioner... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I didn't think front-wheel-drive cars have front wheel bearings; only CV joints.
FWIW, it's AWD. The wheel bearings are enclosed and are supposedly 'never supposed to go bad' because of it. They have more of a whiring sound when they're going bad. Very similar to how over-sized truck tires with thick tread sound on the pavement at higher speeds. Like I said, both of the wheel bearings have been replaced and I doubt they even have 10,000 miles on them yet.
I didn't realize the pads would do that. I'll have to take a look at them. I'm sure they're long over-due. Still original at 74k with the primary driver being female. [V] [:D]
Thanks!0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I didn't think front-wheel-drive cars have front wheel bearings; only CV joints.
Here's the "Wheel Bearing kit" for my FWD ..
All cars have bearings. The wheel has to spin on something.
Heard about the Bose Magnetic dampers yet? That will replace convential struts?0 -
Brake indicator also see the calipers are free to float and self center. Have the brake system pressure bled. 0
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