Whistling/squeaking as wheels rotate

[shotta287]

As above, can't seem to pinpoint what the cause is. Seems to occur randomly as I drive. I believe it's coming from the front driver side wheel. Had the car put up on ramps at a local garage who said my passenger side front anti roll bar link boot is split. I had front discs and pads changed back in August. Getting pretty annoying now as you can imagine.

[cuprabob]

C

[Vaud]

WHeel bearing?

[Equus]

Top suspect would be brake related, but the garage should have spotted this if it is.

Sometimes a build-up of rust around the rim of the disc can cause it.

Wheel bearings usually rumble rather than whistle.

[shotta287]

I'm thinking no copperslip on pads when they changed em? Or maybe even sticking caliper.

[Equus]

shotta287 said:

I'm thinking no copperslip on pads when they changed em? Or maybe even sticking caliper.

Could be, yes.

Simple test for a sticking caliper: go for a drive at reasonable pace, then immediately upon stopping, lick the tip of your finger and touch it to the brake disc, through the wheel.

[grumpy52]

Has it only happened since new brakes have been fitted ?
Pobably glazed pad or pads .
If the brakes aren't used very hard they sometimes glaze up , could also be sticking slightly.

[shotta287]

So almost two months on, still haven't found the cause and the issue is still there.
It's so random that when I took the mechanic from the garage for a drive, the noise didn't occur! He cleaned the pad and caliper and it seemed fine for a day or two but then came back.
I'm at wits end here. Thinking that next step is full strip of pad and caliper.

[Mr2Mike]

I had a really annoying squeak on my ZS180, that was particularly noticeable if you drove next to a wall or other sound reflecting surface. It was very difficult to find out where it came from, since it was intermittent when driving and would disappear if you jacked up the car. Purely by luck whilst fitting an exhaust I noticed a thin wire from the engine wiring loom drooping down and it was touching the inner CV joint gaiter. There were clear wear marks in the wire insulation and a polished line on the rubber gaiter were it had been lightly touching.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Monday 26th February 17:54

[shotta287]

Mr2Mike said:

I had a really annoying squeak on my ZS180, that was particularly noticeable if you drove next to a wall or other sound reflecting surface. It was very difficult to find out where it came from, since it was intermittent when driving and would disappear if you jacked up the car. Purely by luck whilst fitting an exhaust I noticed a thin wire from the engine wiring loom drooping down and it was touching the inner CV joint gaiter. There were clear wear marks in the wire insulation and a polished line on the rubber gaiter wear it had been lightly touching.

I have a feeling mine could be something totally not brake related. It's at the point where I don't even like putting the window down while driving.

[shotta287]

I'm due to take the car to a VAG specialist after this crappy weather. But I've managed to take a vid of the issue in the work car park. Here's the link http://sendvid.com/hqgkwhd0

Volume up

Edited by shotta287 on Monday 5th March 19:13

[shotta287]

Anyone? Surely somebody may be able to give an indication as to what it might be..

[GreenV8S]

I listened to the video you posted and didn't notice any squeaking noises.

[shotta287]

Really? It's quite prominent around 2 seconds in..

[GreenV8S]

Your speakers must be better than mine - or your hearing.

[shotta287]

Or maybe it's all in my head and I'm going mad

[2354519y]

Had this once. Halfords tyre monkey hadn't put one of the wheel bolts on. Wasn't spotted due to cap covering the bolts

[Mr2Mike]

shotta287 said:

Really? It's quite prominent around 2 seconds in..

It's very clear, and that would drive me bonkers.

Does it stop if you lightly apply the brakes?

[shotta287]

Stops if I apply brakes. Noise comes on certain roads on my commute and if car is driven hard. During an instance where the noise is occurring, if I drive slow it seems to be in tandem with wheel rotation.
Honestly have no clue.

[cuprabob]

I've had this in the past and it was one of the brakes binding caused by a sticky caliper.