What the hell is this noise?
Discussion
Here's one for you:
Some time ago I took my car to the garage because of a rough clunking noise that came from the front left wheel when reversing with full lock on. They diagnosed the problem as rust on the brakes, and promptly sorted it out for me. All seemed fine until...
About a month ago I took the car back to the garage because of a horrible, loud, persistent squealing noise. It appeared seemingly at random, but vanished as soon as I touched the brakes or turned. Thanks to sods law, I cannot replicate the noise when there's a mechanic in the car. It just does not do it. Yesterday, it squealed for 5 miles literally until I pulled into the carpark of the garage. I parked up, turned off the engine, and in the 5 minutes it took to get a mechanic into the car for a test drive, the noise disappeared. Later in the day, driving 2 miles to the church, it appeared again.
Any ideas anyone? We're at a total loss. It sounds like brake squeal, only a lot, lot louder. It can either start after 5 minutes on the road or 20, sometimes it doesn't happen at all.
Any ideas at all would be good! Help!
Some time ago I took my car to the garage because of a rough clunking noise that came from the front left wheel when reversing with full lock on. They diagnosed the problem as rust on the brakes, and promptly sorted it out for me. All seemed fine until...
About a month ago I took the car back to the garage because of a horrible, loud, persistent squealing noise. It appeared seemingly at random, but vanished as soon as I touched the brakes or turned. Thanks to sods law, I cannot replicate the noise when there's a mechanic in the car. It just does not do it. Yesterday, it squealed for 5 miles literally until I pulled into the carpark of the garage. I parked up, turned off the engine, and in the 5 minutes it took to get a mechanic into the car for a test drive, the noise disappeared. Later in the day, driving 2 miles to the church, it appeared again.
Any ideas anyone? We're at a total loss. It sounds like brake squeal, only a lot, lot louder. It can either start after 5 minutes on the road or 20, sometimes it doesn't happen at all.
Any ideas at all would be good! Help!
HellDiver said:
Wheel bearings.
Just had the same on my Mondeo - clunking at low speed, and whining at high speed. Two front wheel bearings were totally shot, mechanic recons the bearings were cooked when the brakes were jammed up after the snow.
This.Just had the same on my Mondeo - clunking at low speed, and whining at high speed. Two front wheel bearings were totally shot, mechanic recons the bearings were cooked when the brakes were jammed up after the snow.
Does it sound like there's metal rubbing on metal? That's how I remember my bearing sounding when they were on their way out.
trickywoo said:
First thing I'd do is take the pads out and properly copper grease the backs.
Do you clean your wheels with wheel cleaner a lot?
The pads were replaced and everything was greased up when the rust was knocked off, but it's worth a try. I honestly don't the clean the wheels (or car) as much as I should, so no.Do you clean your wheels with wheel cleaner a lot?
HellDiver said:
Wheel bearings.
Just had the same on my Mondeo - clunking at low speed, and whining at high speed. Two front wheel bearings were totally shot, mechanic recons the bearings were cooked when the brakes were jammed up after the snow.
The clunking was sorted, but so far no at the garage has mentioned wheel bearings... I'll bring it up with them. Thanks!Just had the same on my Mondeo - clunking at low speed, and whining at high speed. Two front wheel bearings were totally shot, mechanic recons the bearings were cooked when the brakes were jammed up after the snow.
Diesel Fury said:
Yeah it's definitely a metal on metal noise. Basically sounds like brake squeal, but a hell of a lot louder, and constant.
Sounds like a bearing to me.Try this: jack the car up on the side that's squealing - give the front wheel a wiggle.
If there's play in the wheel, replace the bearing
Diesel Fury said:
Yeah it's definitely a metal on metal noise. Basically sounds like brake squeal, but a hell of a lot louder, and constant.
My outer CVs were knackered as well, again the grease was cooked from the jammed brakes. Maybe you've got both problems as well? My CVs were toast, and the bearing fell apart when the driveshaft nut was taken off. Totally stuffed.There was no grinding sound, just a whine (which I thought was my winter tyres) - it was only when I put my summers back on and the noise continued did I know it was the bearings.
Proxy said:
Sounds like a bearing to me.
Try this: jack the car up on the side that's squealing - give the front wheel a wiggle.
If there's play in the wheel, replace the bearing
It's so loud I cannot tell where the noise is coming from. Seriously. It sounds like it's coming from everywhere at once when it gets really loud. It does sort of sound like it's coming from the front when it first starts though. Guess I'll try both front wheels!Try this: jack the car up on the side that's squealing - give the front wheel a wiggle.
If there's play in the wheel, replace the bearing
Diesel Fury said:
It's so loud I cannot tell where the noise is coming from. Seriously. It sounds like it's coming from everywhere at once when it gets really loud. It does sort of sound like it's coming from the front when it first starts though. Guess I'll try both front wheels!
Even when you jack it up, when you turn the wheel you'll hear it grinding if it's the bearing.You should hear the crunchy noise, just not as loud as when you're driving.
This'll help you narrow it down anyway
Mr2Mike said:
Proxy said:
Sounds like a bearing to me.
Never heard a bearing squeal until it's actualy seized and turning in the hub. Knackered bearings tend to make a rumbling noise.I've never had one "sqealing" and never heard one so loud as to not know where it was coming from
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