Very occassionally (maybe once every couple of weeks) my '98 turbo has started producing a low/mid pitched whining noise. It is vaguely similar to the noise you get running your finger around the rim of a glass. The noise only occurs while the car is moving, and is loud enough to get the attention of people on the side of the street. The noise stops when the brakes are applied but starts again once off the brakes. After a few minutes it seems to cure itself so far. I had it happen today on a very short (5-10 mins) drive at low speed, so it doesn't seem to be down to high tempteratures or speed.

Since it is so intermittent, I just know it won't appear if I take it to a garage. Any ideas on what it is likely to be?

 

If the noise is coming from the rear, it sounds like a problem I had a few months ago on my 1999 UK turbo. An occassional high pitched squealing that went away when the brakes were applied.

It was traced to the rear hub backplate being distorted and making intermittent contact with the handbrake shoes.

A few taps with a hammer sorted the problem.

 

The handbrake shoes are housed inside the rear discs. The backplate may have been rubbing the discs but not the handbrake shoes.

 

Of course I meant the rear disc, the handbrake shoes are static so how could they rub the backplate.

Moral is never reply to a post after a session on the black nectar.