Wheel squeaking at low speed

[strudel]

Our car (2006 Corolla, 55k miles) has developed a intermittent squeaking which is noticeable mostly at about 10-15 mph. It's louder if turning a corner but can also appear when driving straight; I don't know if it's there at higher speed as the general noise of the car would mask it. I think it's the front right but the wife (with more sensitive ears) thinks it also comes from the front left, backs seem ok. The tracking on the car is out and I was planning on getting it a proper 4 wheel alignment done on it this week, but then realised I'm probably being an idiot and that wouldn't a) solve it and b) probably need to be redone after whatever the issue is gets fixed.

The noise itself sounds like brake squeal and indeed goes away if you press the pedal, but can come back again on the next corner. Pads + discs were last changed about 9 months ago so they're not particularly old or gone far. I've done a bit of googleage so possible thoughts are as follows:

1. Tracking (checked by getting it fixed)
2. Brake wear pads rubbing (wheels off and check not warped?)
3. Seized caliper (check for temps after driving then degunk?)
4. Wheel bearings (jack it up, hold at 6/12 o'clock and check for play?)
5. Track rod ends / ball ends (same thing? jack up and check for play at 3/9 o'clock?)

If someone could verify my logic that would be good, or suggest other alternatives I would be very appreciative - I can fix it myself then hopefully!

[strudel]

Bump!

[Twin Turbo]

Could be a stone stuck in the caliper and screeching as it touches the disk. I've had that before and was very glad when the nice AA man found it!

[s p a c e m a n]

Who changed the pads and did they put any copper grease on them?

[750turbo]

Front brakes.

Get them stripped and cleaned.

[Buzz word]

I have had the same after I fitted new disks and pads. It turned out to be the disk guards rubbing on the disks. Fixed with a stout screwdriver pushing at them with the wheel still on. I though that one looked a bit close when I fitted them too.

[TheTurbonator]

Might just be dirty/dusty brakes, giving them a good blast with a jet wash, would be my first port of call.

[littleredrooster]

TheTurbonator said:

Might just be dirty/dusty brakes, giving them a good blast with a jet wash, would be my first port of call.

I wouldn't be pointing a jet wash anywhere near my calipers, thank you! Water at 1500psi+ will easily pass dust seals and sit inside the caliper generating corrosion.

OP - all sorts of things can make brakes squeal slightly. It is caused (technically) when the static co-efficient of friction exceeds the dynamic co-efficient of friction and means that (for no good reason) the pads start to vibrate within the caliper at a frequency which the human ear can hear.

To stop it, changing almost anything in the caliper or mounting system may work. If the pads aren't copaslipped, do it; if they are, clean it off. If there are no anti-squeal shims fitted, fit them; if they are present, remove them.

It could also be glazed pads; take the car out somewhere quiet and get the brakes silly-hot with a series of big stops (or one long big, downhill stop). Keep moving as the brakes cool down.

If none of the above works, come back and tell us!

[robdcfc]

Has Stuart Little taken up residence in the hub???

[HustleRussell]

Tracking check/adjust won't fix the squeak but there's no harm in getting it done because any subsequent brake work won't affect the tracking- and it definitely sounds like a brake issue to me.

[Chicane-UK]

I have experienced, in the past, squeaky wheels when a wheelbearing was on the way out. It'd appear when getting up to a certain speed on the road and then go away again once past that.

New wheel bearings and all was back to normal again.