Okay, so starting about 2 weeks ago I started noticing a squeal/squeak coming from the driver's front wheel area. Now, this sound is only there when turning slight left. If I am going straight I don't hear it. If I'm going right I don't hear it. If I'm turning hard left I start to hear it and it goes away. If I am turning slightly left it's constant throughout the turn. I can also drive down the road and do the "nascar tire warming" and hear it every time I pull left.
Is this maybe a brake-wear indicator? I've had vehicles before that would squeal when the brake pads needed replaced, but it was a constant, not a just going left thing. Any ideas as to what this might be?
Oh...it's a 2000 Z24 Convertible.
~The Flash~
Joshua Richardson
Maybe a wheel bearing? Usually they will make more of a howling sound when they first start going bad but sometimes they squeek similiar to a wear indicator. It is also common for them to only make a sound while turning the wheel one way because of the load being applied. You are right about the wear indicator making the sound constantly. Does it do this when only the brakes are applied or all the time?
If it isn't a metallic sounding squeek look for a bad bushing.
http://members.cardomain.com/scrawnyguy18
Okay...so in playing and investigating a little more...it only does the sound when the brake is not applied. If I'm turning through a left hand turn and it's squeaking, I can make it stop by applying slight pressure on the brake. Maybe it is the pads...I'll probably start with them and then go from there.
~The Flash~
Joshua Richardson
Baaaaam, that was a recall on my 98 Cavalier. Made that noise, went to the Chevy dealer, they said it was a pinion... when they fixed it, the noise stopped for a while. Then it came back, and the 2nd time it was a wheel bearing (which was not covered by the recall). I'm not sure if it's possible that one could have caused the other, or whatever... but it was annoying, and it got to the point where it was unbarable...
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1998 Cavalier Z24
I think the pinion bearing recall does something different. I think it was if a complaint was on the steering being more stick or something..but i could be wrong.
If you apply your brakes and the noise is gone, what percentage is left on the front pads and is there a ridge formed on the front discs?? I think its more a brake related problem.
Something on the lines of worn out pads, a ridged disc or even a warped disc. A bearing fault would cause a growling sound like a lot have stated
