Wheel bearing or brake squeal?

[Primalzer]

I am getting a very odd squeal from the passenger front wheel area. The first thing that I thought of when I heard it was wheel bearing (I've had a few go out on previous cars). However I am really not getting any vibration through the floor or the wheel. The noise increases as speed increases, goes away when turning left, stays the same if turning right or going straight, changes in pitch if very lightly braking, and completely stops if coming to a stop and pressing on the brake more firmly (not slamming). The noise has progressively gotten more persistent, however I did just get back from a 1200 mile trip, however the noise was present before I left (80*F in Florida) and coming back to home in Chicago is still present (28* in here in Chicago). Any ideas?

Click to read more...

 

[Runtz52]

its probably ur brakes, i just did them on my car and it has the exact same symptoms that u just described

 

[Primalzer]

No idea how old the brakes are....I kind of looked when I had the wheels off the other day, it seemed like there was a lot of meat left on at least the outside pad

 

[Runtz52]

No idea how old the brakes are....I kind of looked when I had the wheels off the other day, it seemed like there was a lot of meat left on at least the outside pad

check ur inside pads, and also feel the inside of the rotor for any grooves

 

[Primalzer]

Yeah I'll look tomorrow hopefully, dad's friend has a heated garage, and just so happen have to stop by there tomorrow

 

[Tuner World]

Most likely your brakes. Sounds like the caliper is seized and your inside pad is eaten up. It MIGHT be because of cheap pads or loose shims but I'm almost positive that it's a seized caliper/slide pins.

 

[Primalzer]

Well I tried a panic stop, just to clear off the pads as I drive aggresively, but rarely if ever put myself into a position to really work out the brakes. I did this last night, and the problem has not arisen since then, maybe that jammed whatever loose, who knows. If it starts up again, I'll take it in or have a buddy look at it.

 

[smug]

I had this problem on a car and could never figure it out

 

[Primalzer]

There has been no performance changed whatsoever, it doesn't pull to one side, it doesn't feel like something is dragging. It more seems like there was something stuck between the pad and the disc more than anything, but I really doubt it was that because of how long it lasted, and how many miles I drove.