squeaky rear

[jeffo]

Hello boys and girls.

I am the recent new owner of a 1999 Chimaera 500, manufactured by the Malaysian franchise and imported here to Australia.

I love it...just the cat's pyjamas...but I read with interest some of the probs others seem also to have in common with me.

I now have some really useful info to attack the side mirrors and windscreen wipers with, but I wonder if anyone knows anything about a really annoying squeak that seems to emanate from the rear? It sounds very much like something rubbing against a wheel as it picks up tempo as speed increases.

It's driving me nuts, and the dealer's mechanic is at a loss after replacing the rear brake pads, thinking it might have been a hairline fracture in the pad.

Anyone?

>>> Edited by jeffo on Thursday 15th July 01:35

[schueymcfee]

jeffo said:

Hello boys and girls. I am the recent new owner of a 1999 Chimaera 500, manufactured by the Malaysian franchise and imported here to Australia. I love it...just the cat's pyjamas...but I read with interest some of the probs others seem also to have in common with me. I'm trying to get these all ironed out before the expensive extended warranty from the dealer expires. I now have some really useful info to attack the side mirrors and windscreen wipers with, but I wonder if anyone knows anything about a really annoying squeak that seems to emanate from the rear? It sounds very much like something rubbing against a wheel as it picks up tempo as speed increases. It's driving me nuts, and the dealer's mechanic is at a loss after replacing the rear brake pads, thinking it might have been a hairline fracture in the pad. Anyone?

Ahh, I was going to say pads, as I had the same problem (and it's suprising just how annoying it is).
I replaced the discs and pads and that cured the problem. Could still be a warped disc. Best thing to do to make sure it's coming from the wheel is to get the rear wheels off the ground and spin them by hand.

[jeffo]

Thanks for that.

I also found an earlier thread on the subject, but my gut feel is that you are correct...very likely a brake issue.

Pad change hasn't worked, and it wasn't like this several months ago when I test drove it prior to purchase.

I do know the mechanic fiddled with the handbrake to make it easier to operate since that time.

I'll send it back to him with your suggestion (along with a few other niggles) and see what happens.

Cheers
J

[jeffo]

Fixed.

The mechanic noticed some play in the hub assembly when removing the RR wheel, and took it to pieces for a closer look.

Forgive my mechanical ignorance, but I think it was something like this:

The part of the hub onto which the bearing attaches had worn down causing some movement when under any kind of lateral load ie turning corners. This was evident from the fact it seemed to disappear when a passenger was present...took some weight away from the right side.

Anyhoo...solution was to send offending hub off to get welded and machined.

All is well