Quiet squealing sound when driving

[SteelSteeds]

I'm getting this sound that really seems like it might be one of those brake pad indicator noises, the ones that squeal when your pads are getting too worn. Do our cars have those? And if so, is there ANY reason my pads should be that low at 3000 miles? I did one track day last summer, but I would be really shocked if that wore enough material to warrant pad replacement already.

I only hear the sound between 30 and 40 mph, and it goes away as soon as I touch the brake pedal. It seems to be only the driver's side, I believe it's the front but I'm not 100% sure on that. It's an intermittent sound, it comes and goes very erratically.

Thoughts?

[Carnut]

You glazed your pads and rotors already. Pull of the pads, and take the glaze off with sandpaper. Do it evenly. 180 grit works well.

[SLB8SNK]

Interesting. It "may" be brake related, and glazed as stated above, but it seems that would be more apparent at lower or stopping, not at your speeds. I am not a brake expert, but sounds like a dealer run for me. I know pads are very metallic and from time to time they will make noise, but again, that happens when braking not at higher speeds. Good luck.

[iceman]

What mods on the car? If not a brake thing maybe a belt slip think but it is not usually as loud as a brake thing although can be every bit as annoying and if it happens when you are rolling and give a little gas i would bet on that over a brake pad problem.

Always fun to diagnose one of these as we all have had our own issues....I am fighting a brake pad now but it is as mentioned when stopping at slow speeds not at the 30-40 range.

[Super Snake]

WOW
were you that hard on your brakes during your track day?

[SteelSteeds]

Originally Posted by iceman

What mods on the car? If not a brake thing maybe a belt slip think but it is not usually as loud as a brake thing although can be every bit as annoying and if it happens when you are rolling and give a little gas i would bet on that over a brake pad problem.

Only mods are JLT CAI, Shelby short throw shifter, headers/3" catted x-pipe/Magnaflow 3" catback, billet lower control arms, and subframe connectors. This started after the car sat for 10 weeks while I completed the header and shifter installation. I noticed it the second day that I was able to drive it after the install, and again on the following day (yesterday).

The noise doesn't change with speed, other than to go away if I drop below 30 or go above 40. Clutch in or out, accelerating or coasting, no difference. As soon as I touch the brake pedal at all it instantly goes away.

Originally Posted by Super Snake

WOW
were you that hard on your brakes during your track day?

That's just it: I wasn't. I thought I was being rather balanced. Not to mention that was last August, and 600-800 miles ago.

[iceman]

there is the old "it hurts when I do this" answer...."don't do that"

avoid 30 - 40

can you tell if it is a certain wheel or side? that's an odd one.

[Alloy Dave]

It's not the brake pad indicators. The indicators will make the noise when you apply the brakes...not the other way around.

It's possible that you got some rust on the rotors if it sat that long...take a look through the wheels to check visually. If it's light, this will rub off with use over a day or two.

If that's not it, try applying the emergency brake lightly to see if it goes away...that will tell you whether it's front or rear brakes. If it goes away, then it's rear.

Once you know that, try it when turning a curve..see if it changes at all. If you're turning right, tap the brakes lightly, and if it goes away, most likely the left outer or right inner....and vice-versa.

I still don't think it would be glazing regardless...as when you have your foot off the brake, the pads are not touching the rotors...they are held away by the square-cut o-rings in the calipers. The only way that would be possible is if either you hard large amounts of rust that were exceeding this gap, or the rotor was warped...which is possible if:
1) You got the rotors hot and then went through water
2) Someone torqued the wheels too tightly
3) You've had them apart for any reason and got some debris between the rotor and the hub.

Let us know.

Dave

[hellfyr]

Doesn't sound like a brake issue to me.

You said you just installed a new shifter before the noise...

New shifters tend to transfer additional transmission noise into the cabin.
When you hear the noise, try holding the shifter arm tightly at the base.
(A grip I'm sure you are familiar with)

If the noise goes away (or quiets) you have probably found the issue.


The other thing that came to mind is a possible wheel bearing problem.

[frydguy79]

are you sure it's not coming from you?
from all the excitement












sonds like the brake pads to me

[SteelSteeds]

Originally Posted by hellfyr

(A grip I'm sure you are familiar with)

I'll check everything over thoroughly this weekend. I had the left front tire off at one point during my header install, but I never touched anything beyond that. Since it goes away immediately upon touching the brake pedal, I really feel it has to be brake related. I'll pay particular attention to any possible rust or corrosion, plus pad thickness or evidence of glazing.

[TOMMY GUN]

I can't believe my informative info disappeared??


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[Carnut]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I can't believe my informative info disappeared??


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I'm still wondering if you have a quiet squeal, how do you know you have a squeal. Kind like the noise a tree makes in the woods when no one is around, I guess.

[TOMMY GUN]

Maybe he has a keen ear for squeals?



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[Carnut]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Maybe he has a keen ear for squeals?



.

But then it wouldn't be quiet, would it?

[TOMMY GUN]

I'm confused now.


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[Carnut]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I'm confused now.


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I thought so.

BTW, who's on first?

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Carnut

I thought so.

BTW, who's on first?

YouTube - Who's on first?

.

[Carnut]

Yep, that's the one.

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Yep, that's the one.

You remember the first run?


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