Got a question here for the motor-savy people here. When I'm driving along, I keep getting a squeak from the front left wheel - originally it was when travelling at 40 - 60mph, but now, it seems quiet for a bit, and when I slow down to 20 - 30mph, it squeaks again. Already had the brakes checked out (they were squeaking aswell), but they are ok for another few 1000 miles apparently, so I have no idea what causes it, or how much it would cost to fix Any ideas? It's a 1997 Renault Clio
bearings maybe but they usually grind ok found this It's a wheel bearing. When it gets warm the grease packed around it gets thinner thus allowing the worn bearing to squeak and grind also the bearing is under more strain when the steering is turned so that expalins the fact it only does it then
This sounds expensive...any ideas as to the cost? Incidently, squeaky clean would never happen - it badly needs a wash - hence why I've not put it in the what do you drive thread...
More info req. On a flat road, does the car drive straight when you let go of the steering wheel? How about braking while letting go of the wheel? do these ^ in an open area/safe place! Does ithe squeak happen at all, when braking gently? braking heavily? cruising? accelerating? turning left gently? turning left hard? turning right gently? turning right hard? You probably don't, but can you feel anything in the steering wheel when the noise occurs? Maybe a slight pull to the left when braking gently? I'll have a wild guess: I got a little hunch it may be left front brake dragging, meaning brakes probably just need a clean out & bleed, but if it's been dragging a while then the left brake will be worn. Answering all of these questions however, in as much detail as you can provide, will be very good at indicating if it's bearings or brakes or both.
A wheel bearing (if that's what it turns out to be) will normally be about £30 (ish, depending on car) and will take a couple of hours to fit. I managed to do mine with only a ball Joint puller and torque wrench in the way of specialist tools - the swivel hub has to come off. Although you say the brakes have 1000 miles left - you may need to check that the disc isn't warped due to excess heat. This can cause squeaking at the speeds you mention.
A warped disc will make the steering wheel vibrate when braking. The higher the speed, the greater the vibration when braking.
mvagusta A warped disc will make the steering wheel vibrate when braking. The higher the speed, the greater the vibration when braking. its possible for the brake disc to have runout and not cause a vibration in the steering wheel. if the caliper pins are lubricated properly and moving back and forth freely then you would never notice a vibration at the wheel. but if this is the case and the disc has runout and the pads are rubbing back and forth on the pad mounts then this could cause the squeaking as well. easiest test is to pull off the wheel tighten down the brake disc to the hub and spin the disc. see how much back and forth movement there is. a disc may look fine visually but still be "out" enough to cause squeaks or excess wear on other components
lol - you'll get me into trouble at work! If you want it rid quicker, use a chocolate digestive in place of the cheese. It might be the constant velocity joint, or the boot for it. You'd notice the noise when you accelerate slowly from a standstill. Btw - is it manual or auto?
My steering wheel vibrates a LOT when slowing down at high speeds (eg>60mph) and especially when hard breaking ('97 corsa), and when breaking at low speeds (eg stopping at lights) it kind of pulses forwards, varying with speed. This could be ABS or slightly warped break discs I'm not sure which!
go with discs on that one bud. abs is an add on to a normal braking system that only activates when the cars computer detects that one of the 4 wheels has "locked up" stopped turning while the other ones are still sustaining a common speed. all the abs unit is designed to do is to drop the brake pressure to the offending wheel so it starts spinning again and you can control the vehicle better then it slowly adds it back to assist in braking until you let off the brake pedal. this is why they tell you never pump the brakes on an abs equiped vehicle as soon as you let off once it stops the abs and negates the effect of the system
AFAIK I don't think the car has ABS - it's a Clio RL which is about as basic as a car can get. One thing I did just think of, occasionally at speeds of 70 - 80mph, the steering wheel does shake - I was just assuming it was because the car is french, and in the words of Jeremy Clarkson - a surrender monkey Oh, and it's a 5 (6 including reverse) speed manual transmission
Firstly, 'warped discs' tend to actually not be warped, but have deposits left on them by the pads which cause vibration under braking. Secondly, Brooxy, I'd say its your wheel bearing.
i not tryin be smart here i dont know your knowledge of all thigs mechanical it its liek mine is very limited, your best bet is to bring it to a mechanic and at least get him look at, more than likely he will know exactly whats wrong without even looking at it they can tell alot by sounds and too they can usually give you rough cost of materials and labour.
