Wheel bearing going?
Discussion
There is a high pitched chirp (rather like poorly ajusted cycle brakes) coming intermittently from my front left wheel. Doesn't seem to correspond directly to anything (cornering loads, taking up drive, driving on lock...) can anyone suggest a possible cause?
The car has only done about 50,000 miles, but led quite a hard life!
The car has only done about 50,000 miles, but led quite a hard life!
Doesn't sound like a wheel bearing usually does (I'd expect more a low pitched grumbling/roaring noise from a wheel bearing). Are you sure its not just rust around the edge of your disks or a stone trapped?
High pitched noise from rust around the edge of the disk can be intermittent due to heat expansion. Try wire brushing round the edge of the discs, if the have a layer of flaky rust on them & see if the noise disappears.
...mind you, it wouldn't do any harm to check the wheel bearings and tweak the hub nut, if necessary, while you're checking the discs.
High pitched noise from rust around the edge of the disk can be intermittent due to heat expansion. Try wire brushing round the edge of the discs, if the have a layer of flaky rust on them & see if the noise disappears.
...mind you, it wouldn't do any harm to check the wheel bearings and tweak the hub nut, if necessary, while you're checking the discs.
Hi Sam,
That was kind of the reason I enquired - it also doesn't seem to be directly linked to lock or cornering forces.
Will check for rust around the edge of the discs, but it gets used quite enthusiastically on a daily basis (I suppose the area you're refering to is clear of the calipers though).
That was kind of the reason I enquired - it also doesn't seem to be directly linked to lock or cornering forces.
Will check for rust around the edge of the discs, but it gets used quite enthusiastically on a daily basis (I suppose the area you're refering to is clear of the calipers though).
Chris71 said:
...I suppose the area you're refering to is clear of the calipers though
Yes, where I've experienced similar noise, it was rust right on the very outer edge of the disc face itself (beyond the area swept by the pads) and around the actual rim of the disc that was causing the problem.I'm still not sure what happens - I'm guessing that flakes of rust get trapped between the pad and the disc - but it drove me mad until I discovered what was causing it and cleaned the discs up.
It will only take ten minutes and cost nothing to clean the rust off with a wire brush, anyway, so it's got to be worth a try?
ETA:
It's not just brake squeal is it? I assume you've tried the usual trick of coppaslip on the back of the pads, where they sit against the caliper pistons? Some fast road/competition pads tend to squeal a lot, anyway, 'cos it's difficult to give them a sufficient workout on public roads to avoid the pads getting a bit glazed.
Edited by Sam_68 on Monday 28th January 18:38
Chris71 said:
Presumably the pads won't actually drag on the disc unless they're applied?
no, brake pads do drag slightly on the disk even when they are not applied (more than slightly, if you've got a sticky brake caliper).In fact if you touch the brakes whilst the squealing is occurring and it stops, it's a fair (though not certain) indication that the noise is brake related.
Take it you on about your Saxo?
I guess as a Ford Mechanic Saxo's are not your specialty - at least it won't be an issue when you get a TVR
Just a thought, have you tried asking on the Citroen/Saxo forums? Don't think there's anything dedicated on here - I am sure if you google "saxo noise wheel bearing" like I did and found this...
http://www.eurocarparts.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIV...
I guess as a Ford Mechanic Saxo's are not your specialty - at least it won't be an issue when you get a TVR
Just a thought, have you tried asking on the Citroen/Saxo forums? Don't think there's anything dedicated on here - I am sure if you google "saxo noise wheel bearing" like I did and found this...
http://www.eurocarparts.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIV...
bigburd said:
Take it you on about your Saxo?
I guess as a Ford Mechanic Saxo's are not your specialty - at least it won't be an issue when you get a TVR
Just a thought, have you tried asking on the Citroen/Saxo forums? Don't think there's anything dedicated on here - I am sure if you google "saxo noise wheel bearing" like I did and found this...
http://www.eurocarparts.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIV...
Not being a mechanic of any description it's not really my forte (pun not intended), but yes that's the one...I guess as a Ford Mechanic Saxo's are not your specialty - at least it won't be an issue when you get a TVR
Just a thought, have you tried asking on the Citroen/Saxo forums? Don't think there's anything dedicated on here - I am sure if you google "saxo noise wheel bearing" like I did and found this...
http://www.eurocarparts.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIV...
Sorry thought you were a mechanic - based on your profile info.
Nickname: Chris71
Member Since: 17th February 2004
Total Posts: 4,802
Occupation: Automotive Engineer
Notes: Serial kit and sportscar owner.
Still got my own creaking noises on the R at the mo ??? not a mechanic but I have attended the mech"google" university
Nickname: Chris71
Member Since: 17th February 2004
Total Posts: 4,802
Occupation: Automotive Engineer
Notes: Serial kit and sportscar owner.
Still got my own creaking noises on the R at the mo ??? not a mechanic but I have attended the mech"google" university
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff