Need some help diagnosing high pitch grind/squeal

[Spyder7]

This noise occurs only when the car is in reverse. I mainly notice it when I back out of my sloped driveway. There are no noises in "drive" (auto tranny) or when braking.

It sounds like its coming from the front wheels, though I can't be 100% certain of this (partial hearing loss in one ear makes it difficult for me to tell sound direction). I am reasonably certain that its not transmission related.

There are no symptoms when braking at all - no fade, pulsation, sponginess, etc. Just in case it has any relevance and helps at all, I use my parking brake every time I park in my driveway. Partly because of the slope, partly out of habit developed out of doing about half my lifetime driving on manuals.

Also if it helps pinpoint any, I've noticed its most prevalent with wheels pointing straight; when I turn it fades away, and when the wheel is turned near or to the limit, the noise is gone.

Car is the one in my sig. No mods. Nothing done prior to the symptom developing. I'm baffled by it and not sure where to begin looking or what to look for.

-Spyder

 

[joel95ex]

my rear brake wear indicator would do the exact thing---no brake problems, but when i backed up it was bad. that was when i had factory pads on there. I have rear discs and it would only do that when i was in reverse---like it was catching---all i know is it was loud and nasty sounding..... also check the dust shield. my front was very close to the rotor and would make intermittent sounds.... It is also a good idea to check the inner pad as it is usually not visible

 

[Spyder7]

Loud and nasty sounds about right. I'm hoping its just the pads. This is one job I will pay to have done professionally rather than mess with it myself. But I prefer to pick my parts and supply them myself (if its pads, I'm looking at Akebono), and feedback here will give me a rough idea as to what its going to cost when I bring it in. I may have found a mechanic who is honest and does quality work, which is tipping the scale into having it professionally done.

May also be a good time to get the brakes bled as I think it may still be using the original brake fluid.

-Spyder

 

[cryption]

Sounds like you may have a rock stuck between the pad and rotor, and it's shaped in such a way that it makes noise when you go in reverse but not forward.

 

[mechtech2]

I'll bet you generally back out of your driveway cold.
This may be 'morning sickness' noise and is harmless.

 

[Spyder7]

I do. The car has been sitting at least 12 hours, then I start it up, give it 15-30 seconds of idle to allow the oil time to circulate a bit, then release the handbrake and back it up the long and narrow sloped driveway. My apartment is off a road that is way too busy for me to back into, so I always wind up going in nose first. I'm liking your explanation the best, as there are no other symptoms or issues.

-Spyder

 

[mechtech2]

One more thing - rotors can rust quicker than some females change their minds!
A film of rust can occur in hours , not days or months.

 

[Spyder7]

I think its the morning sickness thing you referred to, and maybe a film of rust too. I noticed when I reversed today, after the car had been driven awhile, no grinding or squealing. I'm debating the lazy man's brake fluid change, and if I can get away with it, I'd rather ride it out until the Spring.

At that point I'm planning to have new all seasons mounted and balanced on new alloy rims, and I can have the brakes looked at for free then. And any work necessary I can then pick and order the parts myself, and get a proper bleed done too. That's assuming that no issues develop between now and then. If I get any pulsation or fade I'll have to bring it in. But right now its just that squeal.

-Spyder

 

[Nick R]

Brakes on the cavalier did that when making left turns or slight curves. Or realy if the wheels were turned to the left at all. Ended up being brakes.

 

[Spyder7]

Mine does the opposite though. No noise in drive at all. Little or no noise with the wheel turned in reverse. Lots of squeal and grinding when backing out with the wheel straight. Most noticeable, or occurs most frequently, during morning cold starts.

I initially thought it was brakes too, but they checked out fine when I bought the car 10,000 km ago. I've had to stop hard a few times, but I'm generally pretty easy on the brake pedal, so this seems like too gew miles for them to go bad so fast. Especially with no change in pedal feel, no noise when braking, and no brake fade.

If any of that develops, I'll wind up having to get them checked ahead of schedule, but otherwise I'm hoping to wait until tire & wheel change over time to save some money on it. Meantime I'd prefer, if I can, to put that money into the All Season tire clearance sales that are starting. My 8 year old AS tires wore out before the summer ended, so I wound up just putting the winters on a little early as the alternative was 4 cheapo AS and I've been holding out instead for a good set that'll give me what I'm looking for and last at least 5 years.

-Spyder