P1Fanatic

Have been on holiday for last week in Cornwall. Done about 1k miles no problems. Got back last night after a 320 mile drive all ok. Went to work today all ok. Drive out tonight and have a screeching sound coming from a front wheel.

Best description I can give is a high pitched metallic cricket (insect) like sound that speeds up with the wheels. Doesnt sound when parked and engine running, doesnt change sound when braking. Eventually fades to nothing after a few minutes of driving.

Anyone got an Idea what it might be as cant get down the garage until Thurs.

Thanks,
Simon.

EvilKyote

Could be a stone caught between the brake disc and the guard, sometimes reversing a few times will dislodge it if it is this.

Have you changed your brake pads recently? I had a similar problem a while ago, turned out the pad material was cracking away from the backing plate, might be worth checking, although you would need to take the pads out to get a decent look.

EK

P1Fanatic

Pads havent been changed - only has 17k on the clock. I thought about the stone being trapped as well but the way it comes and goes makes me think it isnt. Have done a fair bit of reversing already and thats made no diff.

Any other ideas?

Simon.

Dr Hu

Stone in the caliper - my 99 got them frequently.

Usually lasts an hour or so..... -v.v annoying...

P1Fanatic

Well its been going on for over a day now. I hope thats all it is. I take it the stone eventually falls out normally?

Simon.

turbo2000

could be the brake pad wear indicater' but i have had stones in mine and reversed brake and out it came

P1Fanatic

The pads have loads of wear left in them - plus doesnt the wear indicator only screech when you apply the brakes - not under normal driving???

Simon.

EvilKyote

P1fanatic,

If you have the time, take the pads out on the side it is squeeling and check them, When I had my problem, it was almost contant squeeling only when the brakes were not applied, when brakes were applied the noise stopped!

The problem i had was where the pad material is bonded to the metal backing plate, the material had cracked along the top from middle to end, down the side and underneath. This allowed the pad material to 'come away' from the backing plate and as a result was in constant contact with the disc, therefore the pad material would ressonate and stuff and produced a very loud and very horrible screaching sound. It got so bad that people by the road would cover their ears

heh, anyway, replaced the pads and all was fine! I have some pics of the pads at home, I'll put em online tonight if i remember to show you what to look for.

If it is this, I would recommend changing the pads asap, not just for the noise, but because the ressonating and vibration effect from the pad material rubbing against the disc will cause the crack to get longer over time, and eventually the pad material may sheer off from the backing plate!!!!!!!

It may sound unlikely, but I spent weeks and weeks and weeks going back a look and driving with my head out the window thinking 'What the bl00dy hell is it doing that!'

Hope this helps!

EK

[Edited by EvilKyote - 7/29/2003 1:21:29 PM]

P1Fanatic

The thing is this sound stays the same under free acceleration or soft and even harsh braking. This leads me to think its not the brakes. I think I will just pop into my local dealer on thurs and see what they think. Its still under warranty so wont cost me owt unless something perishable needs replacing.

Thanks,
Simon.

P1Fanatic

Lol lucky I dont still have my blitz backbox or I would never have heard it

Simon.

EvilKyote

hmmm,

Have you checked for wildlife? Maybe you scooped up a young child in your front vent, and the squeeling you can hear is the said child screaming at you to stop!!!




[Edited by EvilKyote - 7/29/2003 1:24:46 PM]

P1Fanatic

Lol lucky I dont still have my blitz backbox or I would never have heard it

Simon.