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But the sound occurs without putting the brakes on.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 01/04/2008 at 19:42
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When was the last time you had the braking system inspected/serviced?
On the last MOT did the vehicle get any advisory notices pertaining to brakepad, disc or drum wear?
Odd but possible - worn wheel bearings?
Edited by Tron on 01/04/2008 at 17:09
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Would it be expensive to get both front and back bearings replaced?
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 01/04/2008 at 19:42
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If you are handy with a spanner - no.
If not...
...at a good and (not a main dealer) garage probably no more than 2 to 3 hours labour (max) plus cost of parts.
Get it looked at first. Most reputable garages will not charge you to inspect the vehicle for faults.
Don't take the first garages (stay away from the likes of {deleted - to comply with the no name/shame policy of this site} etc., as they are just there to make monies from unsuspecting members of the public and will probably inform you that the whole suspension on all 4 corners needs replacing) findings as gospel - shop around and get a few quotes for the work.
Council & Government run MOT testing stations - some offer a vehicle fault finding service but will charge you. Honest and unbiased as they are not there to make a profit from you.
Link for Council MOT testing stations: www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-mot#find
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 01/04/2008 at 19:41
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I seem to remember that some makes of brake pad had a metal wafer moulded into them to make a noise when they were coming up for renewal, like those low brake pad warning light arrangements that tend not to work after a while, but lower-tech and more sensible.
Check the brake pads first and if they are low, replace them. Worn bearings don't squeal in my experience, they rumble.
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Agreed sounds like pads. mid 1990s cars had warning bits on pads to warn of low pad depth - yes- and they would squeal after use.. as they tended to expand .
>OP
If you don't know what you are doing, go to a reputable garage. Brake systems are NOT where you want to start learning about cars... your life depends on them working.
Edited by madf on 01/04/2008 at 18:13
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I seem to remember that some makes of brake pad had a metal wafer moulded into them to make a noise.....
Yes, the Astra-G has these type of pads fitted.
Worn bearings don't squeal in my experience, they rumble.
Agreed.
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>> I seem to remember that some makes of brake pad had a metal wafer moulded >> into them to make a noise.....
Will the brake pads squeal even when I am not applying the brake?
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Yes because brakes touch very lightly all the time and you may have alot of metal dust now. However when I have had cars with these metal wear indicators, usually braking noise is different (slight train like metal to metal sound).
In any case first step is to remove wheel and see where sound is coming from when on a ramp or jacked up on axle stands.
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Yep the rear pads on SWMBO's 2001 Zafira squeaked when they were worn, they also stopped squeaking when turning, so definately sounds like brake pads to me.
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I've just had a brake report done and they said that the rear pad had 'one milimeter' left on it and the front pads had two or three. Does this now all add up? I.e. constant squealing after driving for 20 minutes, no sound when turning to the left/right.
Thanks to all of you here this site has been great!
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Does this now all add up? I.e. constant squealing after driving for 20 minutes no sound when turning to the left/right.
If the discs have a lip on them where they're also worn then yes. After 20 mins or so, even though the brake pads aren't in full contact with the discs they will still rub very slightly - generating heat. The discs will expand slightly, and if the pads are almost worn down to the limit, the lip on the edge of the discs makes contact with the squeal plates of the brake pads. I suspect when turning left/right there is enough momentum to move the caliper away to stop the squeal plates making contact with the discs.
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If the pads really are that low then they need replacing anyway. This would seem to be the first step and then see if the problem has disappeared. The discs also need checking, just in case.
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