Hi all,

I've been hearing a squeaking sound from either the front or rear driver's side wheels. It occurs when you are driving along and the frequency changes with speed. It stops immediately when the brakes are applied.
You can't hear it when you start driving, but it seems to become noticeable when on the highway for a few minutes, making me feel that the problem relates to heat expansion.
When I first noticed it, I checked my front rotors and noticed they were badly worn, so I replace them along with the pads. I fully lubed the back of the pads, and the calipers, including the slide pins.
The rear brake pads are also very fresh.
I notice that the problem stops when it rains (i.e. the components are wet) so that adds to the confusion.
I have been concerned that it could be a wheel bearing, but why would the noise stop when it is wet?

Car is a 2004 G35x w/ 110k miles. Also, I have checked the dust shields are not rubbing on the rotors.

Any ideas??

Thanks!

******UPDATE: Problem solved! ******
I removed the pads, performed a full cleanup of the calipers, slide pins and pad retainers (used a wire brush to remove any caked on brake dust/grime). I reset the pad return levers on the pad retainers, then reinstalled them. I then re-lubed everything well, and applied CRC brake quiet on all appropriate surfaces.
Car feels great! No more squeak when on the move. I also realized that a shimmy/shake I had been feeling must have been from the pad not properly coming away from the rotor. Car feels smooth as silk on the highway.. like I remember it years ago.
Lesson learned: Do things properly the first time!

 

Squeak, squeak

 

Bump...
Please, anyone?

 

Is it a squeak or a creek?

If the sound gets faster as the car goes faster ( like when you have a baseball card in your spokes on your bmx) type of thing?

Or is it louder and more noticable when you go faster, but not nessecarily a faster sound.

Typically if its a fast speed = faster sound its brakes or bearings etc

If its just louder with speed its usually something more complex like bushings or joints.

First important thing is to determain where it is coming from. Even go as far as having your buddy drive beside you at speed with his window down. Pin pointing the location will save you a lot of time. Especially if you start replacing bushings or tie rod etc.

My suggestions is start with the easy like you have with the brakes. MAke sure your brake surface is clean. re check your heat sheilds etc. Check your bolts for proper tightening! Check little things like bent tabs. If you grab the wheel and shake it hard going East-West and you feel any slight play or clicking you wheel bearings are probably shot. (not the best test, but its a start) And then just start checking for the obvious: like loose or bent joints. Start grabbing parts and shake them and if they dont feel sturdy then something is probably worn out or loose.

GL

 

Oh and another obvious, but did you bleed your brakes?

 

Thanks for the reply - much appreciated!
It's a squeak, as opposed to a creak.
The frequency does change with speed and it's definitely a little louder when driving on the highway, especially when next to a wall/barrier. I've isolated it to the driver's side front wheel. All bolts are tightened to spec on the caliper/suspension. The only thing I haven't checked is the axle nut. The bearing on that corner was replaced a few months ago, so I'm concerned it is a problem with the bearing. As the noise immediately stops when the brakes are applied, you immediately think it's the brakes, but I have read about bearing issues exhibiting the same results, as pads pressing agains the rotor can shift things ever so slightly. I will definitely take another look this weekend.

 

No I didn't, and I was thinking that might be worth trying as well.

 

did you recently get a brake job done or get somthing replaced??

 

On that corner, I had the hub/bearing replaced back in November.
In January, I noticed my front rotors were done, so replaced rotors and pads. The squeaking was happening before I replaced the rotors, but I don't recall if it was happening before the hub/bearing was replaced. This weekend I'm going to do a full cleanup of the calipers, re-lube everything and double-check the clearances.

 

UPDATE: Problem solved!
I removed the pads, performed a full cleanup of the calipers, slide pins and pad retainers (used a wire brush to remove any caked on brake dust/grime). I reset the pad return levers on the pad retainers, then reinstalled them. I then re-lubed everything well, and applied CRC brake quiet on all appropriate surfaces.
Car feels great! No more squeak when on the move. I also realized that a shimmy/shake I had been feeling must have been from the pad not properly coming away from the rotor. Car feels smooth as silk on the highway.. like I remember it years ago.
Lesson learned: Do things properly the first time!