I know wheel bearings hum but do they squeal too?

stuey five toes · Post by **stuey five toes** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:00 am

I recently (400 miles ago) changed the front brake pads thinking that that was the cause of a high pitched squeal I was hearing eminatting from the front of the van when I braked or went round sharp corners.

Alas we still have a squeal!

In my previous life of owning older cars, wheel bearings seemed to hum which indicated they needed changing - but now im questioning whether the squeal could infact be another symptom of bearing wear and not the brakes.

Ps... have stripped the brakes twice to check every thing is in place!

its getting more frequent as well, i could hear it when we were crawling down the M4 at the weekend.

So do wheel bearings squeal when worn? if so how easy are they to replace?

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:49 am

Any sign of grease sprayed out from the centre of the hub on the road wheel? Sounds as though (if it is in fact the bearings) that they may be dry. In which case they require IMMEDIATE attention.
I must admit though that I have never come across squealing bearings. More likely to be the pads. Everything may look ok but they still may squeak. I suggest some rather rapid investigation.
Good luck!

alphabetter · Post by **alphabetter** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:08 pm

Interesting! My wheels squeal a bit after long journeys - normally when you are going slowly like when stuck in traffic. I've just had the brakes serviced and the garage said that they didn't see any problems with the brakes at all during the service.

Stuey: Does your noise happen when you are braking or when you are just driving along?

stuey five toes · Post by **stuey five toes** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:08 pm

Started off just when braking. After changing the pads it was still the same. Now I have noticed that it seems to happen at other times as well,

1. when braking
2. when going around certain corners - usually slow
3. when rolling along in traffic, i.e. when stuck on the motor way

I think I might pop it down the garage for a quick look at the bearings.

alphabetter · Post by **alphabetter** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:38 pm

Ah ha. Mine only squeals on number (3) - rolling along when stuck in traffic., Applying the brake a bit stops the noise, so I still think mine is brake related. Still I would be interested to hear what your garage says.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:50 pm

It would need to be a pretty knackered bearing to squeal and by that time it would be rumbling and just about falling off. Give the wheel a shake at the top and check for loose movement - I suspect there won't be.

Also make sure that the disc backplate isn't too close or rubbing on the disc. They can be easily bent by careless fingers/axle stands etc. but also be easily bent back into shape

gobongo · Post by **gobongo** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 6:38 pm

alphabetter wrote:Ah ha. Mine only squeals on number (3) - rolling along when stuck in traffic., Applying the brake a bit stops the noise, so I still think mine is brake related. Still I would be interested to hear what your garage says.

Yeah - mine does that too... I think it is a 'sticky pad' - especially seeing as the front driver's side wheel feels warmer to the touch when I have been on a journey...

Not sure how to diagnose it properly though - like so I can fix it without having to spend any money

Did either of you two find out what was causing yours?

dreamwarrioruk · Post by **dreamwarrioruk** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:47 pm

just a few more options thrown in.

do the brakes have anti squeal pads on them.
most of my other cars have had them,just thin shims that you coated in copper ease.
either that or if on a long journey or after braking hard the discs get hot and may expand causing rubbing on the calipers or pads.
excessive braking may cause the discs to warp.had this often on my motorbike.just put up with it as they wernt overcheap to keep replacing.