Screeching at low speeds

[Matt V]

I have had an issue lately where at low speeds, I have a very high pitched squeaking/screeching sound. It's most obvious when I'm driving directly next to a wall, perfect place to hear it is in a drive-thru. It sounds like there is a squeaking in the brake/wheel area, possibly a bent shield? I just wonder how it couldn't gotten bent randomly.

[trickyrix]

Could be a bent shield. Might also be a stuck caliper? Is it road-speed-dependent or engine-speed-dependent?

[2K Miata]

Rear Brake Pads have a metal clip that will touch the rotor when they wear down to the minimum thickness. COuld be time for new pads if they haven't been changed in a while.

[wrx74]

Been in the gravel, lately? Happens all the time out at Mineral Wells - rock between the brake shield and the rotor.

[Jiggerachi]

Also you might check the springs on your brake pads. They're easy to see with the wheel off. The keep the pad off the rotor. I'm missing two on the left rear and it screeches all the time just like that.

[POS Racing]

I have a very high pitched squeaking/screeching sound. It's most obvious when I'm driving directly next to a wall, perfect place to hear it is in a drive-thru. It sounds like there is a squeaking in the brake/wheel area, possibly a bent shield?

When it is doing this and you touch the brakes does the noise stop or change??

[Matt V]

I changed my brake pads not too long ago so it's not that. And I didn't have that noise after I did them.

POS - It's anytime the car is moving, probably stops once I hit 15 to 20 MPH. Hitting the brake pedal doesn't seem to change the noise.

I also just bought new rotors, and have those on the way. I'll probably just look into it once I get the time to install those.

[sammm]

Sounds like a rock caught in the brake shield to me.

[Matt V]

Here's a video of the noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIxAq7l75aY

[onething]

I heard nothing unusual in the video, but I'm with sammm on it being a rock in the shield. Try backing up and see if it will come out.

[Matt V]

It's the high pitches squealing noise that begins at one second.

[Matt V]

You might've seen my other thread that showed a quick clip of the noise I'm having, I made a better one so you guys can see what I'm talking about. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amIwdeHzA0o

I get this noise regardless if the caliper is tightened down or not so I might be lead to believe that this isn't brake related. The wheel is also VERY hard to turn by hand regardless of how loose/tight the caliper is, is that normal or is it supposed to have some free spin? The only thing I can think of is my wheel bearing, which I had done a few months ago by Mick. Maybe it's making noise again? I have no idea, not blaming him, but it's just something that might be pointed out. Please tell me what you guys think, I'd like to fix this today if at all possible.

[Matt V]

Ok regarding the resistance on the wheels, I forgot I had the car in gear. Regardless, the noise is still there.

[OZMDD]

Have you actually taken the pads off and inspected them? Sometimes a pad fails or cracks. Also, have you tried greasing your caliper and seals? They sell a specific hi-temp grease for them. You might think about pushing the piston all the way back in (grease the exposed portion first), then make sure the seal is in good condition and is seated properly all the way around. Not that the problem seems to be necessarily there, but you can try to eliminate a dragging caliper/stuck piston by ensuring all those parts move freely. Grease the slider pins too. I had one frozen on the NC not that long ago, which kept the pad cocked at an angle, dragging on the rotor just barely.

[Matt V]

I've taken off the caliper/pads and the noise is still there. It's coming from behind the hub.

[OZMDD]

bummer

[Matt V]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Eliminates any ideas I might have. Mick thinks it might be the dust seal?