Squeaky Wheels

cruizer101

Hey all looking for some advice.

I'm getting a squeak or squeal from front driver side wheel.
It happens at different times, but one time it happens more consistently is reversing more so when turning at the same time. It sounds kind of like some metal rubbing.

It is also related to the brakes in some way, not that it happens when I brake, more that it might stop when I brake, or maybe start when I gently break but go when I brake harder.

The car is a 97 1.4 Honda civic.
Now I few things I have checked:
I've given the wheel a wiggle while jacked up and I'm no expert but to my mind there is no give so don't think it is the bearing.
I've also put a bit of copper grease on the backs of the brake pads, now I didn't actually take the pads off to do this I just undid the bottom bolt on the calliper and rotated it up to give access to the back of pads.
There does appear to still be a decent amount of material on the pads so don't think its that either.

I think I may try replace the pads anyway to see if that helps no harm in it, but looking for other ideas of what it may be or how to better diagnose it.

Nissan doctor

How much is left on the brake pads and is there a lip on the disk?

cruizer101

Cheers for the reply, I'm gonna say about 3mm left on pad maybe bit less, probably will take them off tomorrow and can measure properly then.

There is a bit of a lip on the disc alright I think be less than a mm though again will check that.

I think I understand your thinking though, the combination of wear on both could lead to metal rubbing. I shall investigate more. Maybe new discs are in order too.

Also forgot to mention but very hard to get squeak out of it when jacked up and rotating wheel either by hand or by running engine.

Thanks for reply will look at it more tomorrow and report back.

Nissan doctor

cruizer101 wrote: »

Cheers for the reply, I'm gonna say about 3mm left on pad maybe bit less, probably will take them off tomorrow and can measure properly then.

There is a bit of a lip on the disc alright I think be less than a mm though again will check that.

I think I understand your thinking though, the combination of wear on both could lead to metal rubbing. I shall investigate more. Maybe new discs are in order too.

Also forgot to mention but very hard to get squeak out of it when jacked up and rotating wheel either by hand or by running engine.

Thanks for reply will look at it more tomorrow and report back.

That's exactly it, also, the inside pads often have a metal clip which is designed to contact the disk when the pads get low. It gives a squeak to warn you the pads are low.

ongarite

I've a similar issue with my motor, pads due for replacement in 3000km.
I get a small squeak when I make a turn to the left, don't have to be braking.

cruizer101

I remember seeing that clip on the new ones alright.

Seems shame to have to replace pads before they really need it, maybe I should just break it off for the moment :P

I'll have more of a look at it tomorrow, I think new discs are are only about 20 each so may replace it all.

Thanks for replies I'd of probably replaced pads anyway and been sorted but good to know why they were squeaking earlier than expected.