Screeching sort of noise coming from front of car?

jozi

Noticed a metallic kind of screeching noise coming from the front of the car while driving.

It's not a constant noise, at times i can't hear it but when cornering you can hear it again. Also when it happens if i so much as touch the brake pedal it stops.

I'm assuming it's the brake pads? How much more driving can i do?

Jozi

peasant

Could also be that your brake caliper is stuck and doesn't retract fully any more. That way, one of the brake pads is constantly "braking" ever so slightly.

Trouble with that is, that the whole affair does get rather hot after a while which could lead to brakes malfunctioning in a critical moment.

Get it looked at as soon as you can and avoid driving until then.

microgirl

I may be completely wrong here, but I'm nearly sure I was told in the past that that kind of occasional screeching/whining noise can also be a sign of a belt about to go; timing/fan/whatever.

I agree with getting it checked out as soon as you can though, and don't go bombing down any roads until it's sorted

peasant

Screeching belts don't stop when you touch the brakes, though

CJhaughey

More than likely the brake pads are getting low and the warning tab is making the noise, best to book in to get the pads changed asap.
The noise usually starts when there is 3mm or so of material left

jozi

:mad: and i have to drive the car back to Cavan from Dublin tomorrow

It's only a lowish screeching, not to noticeable when driving. I'll take it easy on the way home and to Cavan tomorrow.

EDIT: 3mm and how long for it to get down to 0mm?

BFassassin

jozi wrote: »

:mad: and i have to drive the car back to Cavan from Dublin tomorrow

It's only a lowish screeching, not to noticeable when driving. I'll take it easy on the way home and to Cavan tomorrow.

EDIT: 3mm and how long for it to get down to 0mm?

Turn the radio up louder so you cant hear it
You should try and check the brake pads yourself before you go back to cavan though. Just take the wheel off and have a look around to see if you can see a problem.

jozi

BFassassin wrote: »

Turn the radio up louder so you cant hear it
You should try and check the brake pads yourself before you go back to cavan though. Just take the wheel off and have a look around to see if you can see a problem.

I'll give that a go now, how can i see if the pads are worn down? Does it wear the disc differently? Can i see the pads in the caliper easily?

jozi

Meant to add,

Driving home earlier, the noise was not constant. Appears and disappears as i drive (when not using the brake) and the noise isnt a constant screetch.

blastman

If it's a screeching noise, I'd guess it's the fan belt. If it's more like a metallic rubbing (almost a rumbling noise) then I'd guess it's the brake pads. The wetter it is, the more the fan belt will screech, too.

jozi

blastman wrote: »

If it's a screeching noise, I'd guess it's the fan belt. If it's more like a metallic rubbing (almost a rumbling noise) then I'd guess it's the brake pads. The wetter it is, the more the fan belt will screech, too.

Ah no it's defo not the screeching of a fan belt, it's more metallic.

IrishRover

CJhaughey wrote: »

More than likely the brake pads are getting low and the warning tab is making the noise, best to book in to get the pads changed asap.

That's my guess too. The noise often disappears when turning one way instead of the other.