7 replies to this topic

[decampos]

Model: Mini Sprite with a seriously cool steering wheel. It's so comfy.
Year:1993

Had a really weird squeaking sound whilst driving. Couldn't tell whether it's an interior fitting or something else. Got much louder then the car had a tendency to veer to the right!!

Got home jacked the front and simulated driving. The nearside wheel turns as it should, the offside moves much slower and occasionally sticks (catches on something?).

is that how a buggered wheel bearing sounds/behaves or maybe the brake disk is warped? or perhaps both? or either / or? Could this be something more serious?

Any advice appreciated
Thanks.

[jakson]

hi,
i also have started getting a squeaking sound from the front end dnt know where it comming from but seemed to get louder when i turn left but after a while of driving it stops :S

[Brigbeale]

Model: Mini Sprite with a seriously cool steering wheel. It's so comfy.
Year:1993

Had a really weird squeaking sound whilst driving. Couldn't tell whether it's an interior fitting or something else. Got much louder then the car had a tendency to veer to the right!!

Got home jacked the front and simulated driving. The nearside wheel turns as it should, the offside moves much slower and occasionally sticks (catches on something?).

is that how a buggered wheel bearing sounds/behaves or maybe the brake disk is warped? or perhaps both? or either / or? Could this be something more serious?

Any advice appreciated
Thanks.

First thing to do is to see if the brake isn't binding (this is more likely than the bearing).
You'll need to prise the pads away from the brake disc or remove them.
It could be they are worn out and the metal backing is rubbing on the disc. If so, don't drive it anywhere until you have changed the pads. If the disc has been chewed up then front discs and pads on both sides will need renewing.

With the pads released/removed, put the wheel back on and try it again.
If it runs free, the brakes were at fault.

If it's still the same, then it's more than likely the wheel bearing. Get a good hold of the wheel top and bottom and see if you can rock the wheel. Do the same side to side (3 and 9 o' clock positions).
A tiny amount of movement is acceptable but if it moves any more than that the bearing is shot.
Now turn the wheel. You shouldn't hear anything as the wheel turns. If you get a grating/rumbling noise the bearings will need replacing.

You may find that the brake was binding. In normal use, you press the brake pedal and the pads are pushed onto the disc by the pistons in the calipers. When you release the pedal, the pistons should retract a little and allow the pads to release from the disc. Binding is caused when one (or both) of the pistons don't retract when the brakes are released and keep the pad against the disc and it gets hot causing the squeeling.
Get someone to gently push the brake pedal while you watch the pistons in the caliper. When you see them move, tell your assistant to let go of the pedal and you watch the pistons. they should retract slightly. If one does and the other doesn't then that piston is at fault. Try working the piston in and out (pushing the pedal to push it out and then prise it back in to the caliper to see if it frees off. If not then the caliper needs repair or replacement.
If both don't then the fault lays elsewhere - possibly the brake hose deteriorating and basically acting as a one way valve.


Let us know what you find

Edited by Brigbeale, 17 January 2009 - 10:02 AM.

[alicetheauto]

When you jacked the car up, were you able to wobble the wheel up and down?As if it was loose? Also, if you drive s short way, does the brake pedal feel soft and you have to push it a long way first time, then normal the second time? (you will understand that if it is happening!)?

[decampos]

Thanks for all the advice chaps. I jacked up the front and rocked the wheel side to side, up and down. Pretty solid.

Inspected the caliper. Couldn't see anything particularly troubling (apart from loads of rust). Removed the pads - plenty of tread on them, pistons appeared to work as they should. Scraping noise still there. Disk is clear of any obstructions.

I've filmed about 30 seconds or so and put it up on youtube. Please have a look and see what you think the problem might be:

http://uk.youtube.co...h?v=r4xLEif33DY

Buggered CV joint??

Any further advice comments very much appreciated.
Cheers.

[jakson]

i think i found my squeaking noise my trackrod end rubbers are gone and joints are looking dry

[Disco Dan]

Sounds like a stone in there somewhere looking at the vid! But they normally get caught in the pads.

Have you taken the hub off? Pretty easy/quick job. You may find he culprit that way.

[Brigbeale]

Have you tried taking the caliper itself off (two bolts fixing it to the hub).
Try turning the disc again.
If the noise is still there, get a torch and see if a stone hasn't found it's way into the back of the hub assembly where the driveshaft goes through (look between the cv joint and the hub assembly).
If it all seems clear but still makes a noise, then it may be the bearings themselves.

As Disco Dan suggests, take the hub off, or at least take the driveshaft out of the hub and then turn the disc assembly.
If the noise has gone, it was the CV joint. If it's still there it's the bearings.

Does the CV gaiter look ok? If theres a small split in it, the joint will run dry as the grease gets thrown out under centrifugal force.
Worn/dry cv joints usually give a distinct clacking sound when cornering. It may be worth taking the outer gaiter clamp off and looking inside the joint so see how much grease is in there. If necessary, buy a sachet of cv grease and some decent long cable ties and repack and secure the gaiter back in position.

Edited by Brigbeale, 18 January 2009 - 11:31 AM.