Help, Any ideas of the fault?

Lazy

Lazy

Lazy

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South Lincs.
Well straight to the point.
1.2 Clio

Car makes a squealing/screeching noise only after about 7+ miles of driving it. Only happens when the steering wheel is basically straight, knock it just off and its fine again. Only really audable upto 40mph. When driving and braking the car isnt pulling to a side as I did think brakes originally as I could slightly relate it to a train going through a railway crossing slowing+braking squeal noise.

If not, then its going to the garage anyway as I doubt Id be able to fix it.
 
I really cant remember as Ive been trying to keep the steering wheel off center so it doesnt make the noise when driving. Does get a bit hard though, oncoming and following traffic may think Im a little bit tipsy. Theres no difference between starting off and accelerating whilst going up gears after bringing the clutch up. Just constantly doing it along with harsh braking and believe it has done it when slowing down/braking whilst in neutral. Will need to go out for another drive to get it to do it again, but started a couple weeks ago, then didnt do it for a week and now its been doing it prominantly for the past week but always ONLY after its done like 8miles into a trip.
 
Sounds similiar to what mine did and was wheel bearing, take rear wheels off and spin the bit where brakes shoes and other bits are to check for the noise
 
Removing his rear wheels would be a bit daft seeing as the noise changes with steering load on the front....

If a bearing is that bad you may well be able to hear it with the front off the deck though - there's also a small chance its belt related depending on the type of noise
 
I have never heard a wheel bearing make a squealing noise, apart from on an old escort where it welded itself to the stub axle...

My ZS180 had an almost identical problem to the OP's that drove me potty, i.e. would start doing it after a few miles of driving. I had the brakes off and even the entire upright out to check for something rubbing on several occasions with no change in the symptoms. The one day whilst changing the oil and filter I noticed a cable from an engine sensor that had come unclipped and was lightly resting on the inner CV boot, with a fair bit of the cable insulation worn away. Fixed that and the noise was gone, though you'd never have thought something like that could make so much noise.
 
I am really glad I woke up to this as I have had the same problem for the last 8 weeks. Same car, same problem and after 4+ miles it begins. I took it to a couple of garages who found nothing. Then the third garage removed the tire and when they inspected it further found it was one of the pistons in the disc breaks that was getting stuck and causing the squeeling noise. He greased it up and it hasn't stuck since. Problem solved.
 
Cheers for the replies everyone, Im going to take it for a drive in a bit then go round to the garage hopefully I can get it to replicate the noise so one of them can know what it is fully or so they know what sort of sound it is. Will probably also mention about the possible pistons in the disc breaks that may be getting stuck.

Hopefully its a nice easy fix that doesnt cost the earth as it needs a service + mot+ cambelt in december YAY.
 
Taken it for like a 10mile drive, the noise started as always, about 5ish miles in and continued for the rest of the journey. Pulled in at the garage, car left running for about two mins, went for a drive with the mechanic. The noise had stopped, dropped the mechanic back off and drove another few miles home and it didnt make a sound.

Still going in for a check in the next couple days.
 
Does the noise go away if you very lightly press the brake pedal ?

Does the noise get worse/better if you are turning one way or the other ?
 
Friend of mine had the almost identical symptoms in his Auris. That turned out to be the brake shims that were fitted behind the pads being loose / knackered. If your pads have shims fitted, you might want to have them checked out.
 
Wheel bearing & that's why it goes away when you move the wheel either left or right. ;)
 
Hodders said:
Does the noise go away if you very lightly press the brake pedal ?

Does the noise get worse/better if you are turning one way or the other ?
Click to expand...

Nope

and it only does it if the steering wheel is straight, if I knock it left or right slightly it stops completely until its back straight.
 
Hurray, so took it in to be checked over today. Mechanic only apparently needed to drive about 3 miles to hear it.

Fault from what I could understand, the calipers were sticking and the pads werent aligned within correctly causing one bit of the pads to be worn right down and creating the noise once it had got warmed up. Solution 2 new pads on the front and discs cleaned and something lubricated.

Hopefully thats sorted now, + they said they're probably the original set of pads due to the mileage.
 
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