Front wheel squeaking (Wheel bearing?) HELP!

[CABMX78]

So I've got high pitched squeaking/squealing noise coming from the front drivers side of my car. It sounds kind of like a bird chirping. The noise comes and goes but it seems to stop when braking and changes pitch when turning. I can only hear it with the windows down at lower speeds (20-50mph). I've already jacked up the car and I can't find any noise by spinning the front wheels. Also can't find anything else wrong with the front end. I'm guessing that the wheel bearings are the culprit, anyone else have any experince/ideals about this problem?

[91M5]

What is the condition of your brakes? I would bet it is the pads based on your description.

[E34N]

usually the bearings will give more of a humming noise than a high pitched sound.. Check the brakes.. possibly a warped rotor?

[CABMX78]

The rotors arn't warped and the pads have about 50% left to them. The noise isn't made when the brakes are applyed.

[vnv01]

Bad front wheel bearings sound like chains being pulled around a metal post.. low, rumbling, metal-on-metal. Are you sure it's coming from the front? From inside the cabin, youre hearing noises that are bouncing all over that metal body... it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what side/end a noise is coming from.. High pitched humming? Usually a bad REAR wheel bearing. Best way to check is to have all four wheels inspected.. and check your CV boots while you're at it.

[CABMX78]

bump^

[jonr1]

Probably not the wheel bearings. Like mentioned above they make more of a humming sound that you can feel through the steering.

You're probably dragging a pad slightly.

[CABMX78]

Thanks guys. I'll have to pull the front wheels and take a closer look...

[Turbofans]

I remember reading a post some time ago about a rock being stuck between the rotor and the rotor shield.

[///M297]

CABMX78
I have the same issue, only very small squeak at low speed. Please report back what you found (I will do the same if I found anything). My is 97 528i with 150K, brand new pads front and rear.
Ryan

[CABMX78]

Haven't had a chance to jack up the car today but I as driving around all and didn't hear anything WTF? I'll let ya know what I can find after I can take a closer look.

[e harmon]

Any luck CABMX78? I seem to have a very similar problem on my 2001 530i sport. One mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem, and another is unable to find the cause. Thanks for any insight you may have.

Regards,

e harmon


So I've got high pitched squeaking/squealing noise coming from the front drivers side of my car. It sounds kind of like a bird chirping. The noise comes and goes but it seems to stop when braking and changes pitch when turning. I can only hear it with the windows down at lower speeds (20-50mph). I've already jacked up the car and I can't find any noise by spinning the front wheels. Also can't find anything else wrong with the front end. I'm guessing that the wheel bearings are the culprit, anyone else have any experince/ideals about this problem?

[killcrap]

probably a strut mount

[e harmon]

Thanks. I will look into that. What puzzles me is that it seems to coincide with revolutions of the wheel, and like CAB mentions, it goes away when pushing on the brake pedal--in my case, even when not applying enough pressure to actually slow the car. Still, I will pass this on to the tech and see what he says.

Regards,

e harmon


probably a strut mount

[CABMX78]

[QUOTE=e harmon]Thanks. I will look into that. What puzzles me is that it seems to coincide with revolutions of the wheel, and like CAB mentions, it goes away when pushing on the brake pedal--in my case, even when not applying enough pressure to actually slow the car. Still, I will pass this on to the tech and see what he says.



Mine does the same thing. When I push the brake pedal slightly the noise goes away. I pulled both front wheels the other day and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. The pads are resting on the rotors but not enough to make them drag at all. If I remeber correctly, the pads seat the same in relation to the rotors on other cars that I've worked on too. This weekend I'm going to pull the pads, clean the brakes, and put some anti-squeal compound on the pads. Hopefully that will take car of it.

I'll post my results afterwards.

[e39dream]

I remember reading a post some time ago about a rock being stuck between the rotor and the rotor shield. quoted for truth- it happens once in awhile and makes a screeching sound until the rock is removed or falls out.

[BMW1023i]

it is def a rock or someting stuck between the rotor and the sheild this jsut happened to me about 3 days ago but mine wasgtn some lil squiling noise.... mine was really bad i had to get my car towed to the shop dats how loud it was but sure get that chekced out....

[CABMX78]

Ok, so I pulled the front wheels and the retainer clip was missing off the driver side caliper. I don't know how I missed this the first time I checked it out. I decided to pull the the caliper, pads, and rotor off, clean everything, grease it and put it back together to see how it looked. When I gto everthing back together, the outside pad was just flopping around in the caliper. Since everything was nice and tight on the passenger side, I stole the retaining clip and put it on the drivers side. That took care of the squealing noise and the rattle that I thought was my tie rod links. Now I just have to stop at the stealership on monday to get a clip for the passenger side

[e harmon]

Ok, so I pulled the front wheels and the retainer clip was missing off the driver side caliper. I don't know how I missed this the first time I checked it out. I decided to pull the the caliper, pads, and rotor off, clean everything, grease it and put it back together to see how it looked. When I gto everthing back together, the outside pad was just flopping around in the caliper. Since everything was nice and tight on the passenger side, I stole the retaining clip and put it on the drivers side. That took care of the squealing noise and the rattle that I thought was my tie rod links. Now I just have to stop at the stealership on monday to get a clip for the passenger side

Excellent work man. Some time in the next few days, I will go this route as well, and post the results.

Thanks and regards,

e harmon