I don't know if I need new brakes or what is going on. Is one of them sticking? I have no problems stopping. I just noticed the noise within the last week. It is almost continuous and the part that confuses me the most is that I don't hear it when I brake. I only hear it when the car is moving. Yet, it seems to be coming from the front driver side somewhere. What could be going on? I have a '99 Saturn 3-door Coupe model with 102,000.
2006-10-20 07:36:10 · 13 answers · asked by JACQUELINE 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
UPDATE!
I'll let everyone vote on the best answer, I guess, but the correct answer is that I needed new brake pads and also had to replace my rotors because they were too thin to "turn".
2006-10-22 10:33:29 · update #1
You are hearing the "SQUEELER" on your brake pads.They put a little metal tab on there to warn you that your brakes are used up.Go get a brake job.
2006-10-20 07:41:27 · answer #1 · answered by dutch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, if you do not hear the squeaky sound when you break it is probably not your breaks for one thing. But if you hear a sound coming when the car is moving it could be a number of things. If you have hub caps check to see if there is a rock in there or something else rattling around when the car is going. It could also be your shocks or stouts too. You say it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side, does this sound make more noise when you go around corners? If so it could very well be your shocks, push your car down in front and see now much of a bounce back you get. If it doesn't move much you need shocks. Now for another thing it could be, is this a squealing sound? When you are just sitting in your car with the car turned on turn the stirring wheel all the way one way then all the way the other way and if it squeals either way it is your power steering. If so, check your power steering fluid. It might just be low and adding some could fix the problem. If it is not low then you have a problem that specialist needs to fix. Power steering fluid is very flammable and if you have a leak that is not good. Anyway that is my suggestion for checking out what it could be for yourself. If this does not help, take someone for a ride and see what they think.
2006-10-20 15:01:16 · answer #2 · answered by BEENSADOON 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You probably need new brake pads. The brake pads have a small tang attached that is supposed to rub making an irritating noise when the pad is almost expired. Have the brake pads replaced, and the noise should go away. It would be a good idea to check the rear too to make sure they are ok.
2006-10-20 14:42:37 · answer #3 · answered by Doug R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some brake pads have warning devices on them. These are small soft metal tabs that begin to rub against the rotors when the pads are near end of life. This is probably the noise you are hearing. It is intended to warn you to prevent damage to the rotors when the pads completely fail.
2006-10-20 14:41:51 · answer #4 · answered by Letsee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need rotors ??? Why would rotors squeak when brakes are released?Several answers "need new brake pads, wear indicator making noise" wear indicator makes contact when brakes applied
Noise from front drivers side, don't be fooled, noise from rear wheel can sound like front from inside car.
Is this a low speed noise?? does it increase as you speed up ??
I don't know if you have front wheel drive but if so check the cv joints.
Get some one to stand outside as you drive by slowly and see if you can find the noise location
2006-10-20 17:02:49 · answer #5 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
GM uses metal wear indicators on the brake pads so when the pads wear down the rotor contacts the metal making the screeching sound. It will get louder with time. Yes; you need to have your brakes checked ASAP.
2006-10-20 14:41:46 · answer #6 · answered by gary o 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not the anti wear strip geniuses. They sound when you brake.
It could be the pad dragging if the caliper is sticking. In that case, they'll need to clean the caliper up. Just drive down to Sears or a good tire place and get an inspection.
2006-10-20 19:07:45 · answer #7 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely its one of three things or a combination. The front hub could have a bad bearing. The front brake pad could be down to its wear indicator causing the metal indicator to rub against the metal rotor. The rotor could be grooved so bad it doesnt wear right. Just take the tire off and look to see if the indicator is touching the rotor and if the rotor is grooved or "worn". If not take the caliper off and spin the hub to see if it squeaks.
2006-10-20 14:46:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a metal strip that scrapes the rotor so that you know that you need new pads. Get that done soon because if you wait to long you could have a caliper seize on you.
2006-10-20 14:47:55 · answer #9 · answered by amish_renegade 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might have an anti-wear sensor that is touching your rotor. Take your car for an inspection immediately. You might save hundreds of dollars.
2006-10-20 16:21:34 · answer #10 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋