Mild Screeching Noise

blitzwing85 · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:46

I've started to notice a mild screeching noise from the front right side of my car.
I only noticed it when having the window down, no music on and driving slowly.

It happens when turning left only, or slowing down (not braking) and easing the steering wheel slightly left. It also happens when going over a speed bump (but only when I put both wheels on the outer edge of the bump.

It doesn't do it in big dips, or when only 1 wheel goes over the bump.

I've checked obvious things like fluid levels and tyres. Everything looks fine. And as it doesn't do it under braking, or in big dips in the roads I've ruled out brake pads and suspension.

I've got it booked into a garage later this week - but anyone got any suggestions as to other things I could look at beforehand?

It's the new shape Audi A4 with only 40,000 on so not a particularly old car by any means.

rodenal · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:50

Could be something simple like the brake shield fouling a little bit, possibly the back of the pads are a bit dry or there something caught in that general region (stone etc).

Should be an easy fix

Sasso · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:56

could be a slight burring of the brake discs and then rubbing on the pads. I've had this before, took it to my local garage and they just filed the burr off xD no more noise

Makhaira · 22 Jul 2013 at 11:59

Does it stop if you apply the brakes when it occurs?

blitzwing85 · 22 Jul 2013 at 12:00

rodenal said:
Could be something simple like the brake shield fouling a little bit, possibly the back of the pads are a bit dry or there something caught in that general region (stone etc).

Should be an easy fix

Yeah that's my thiking that it's not an actual problem. I'm not that clued up on cars but the noise doesn't sound like a mechanical issue...more like something that needs some lub, WD40 or some such or simply something catching and rubbing together.

The garage I have it booked into won't charge me if it's just a quick thing...but due to the car being the way It is I can't jack it up to have a good look myself.
I'll try to have more a a thorough look tonight to see what I can see.

The only disconcerting thing is it does appear to be more noticeable now than it was 4-5 days ago when I first noticed it. But it still only does it around the doors. I drove 125 miles on country roads on Sat and during the bends and dips etc I would turn the music down and listen and couldn't hear anything at all.

blitzwing85 · 22 Jul 2013 at 12:03

Makhaira said:
Does it stop if you apply the brakes when it occurs?

I'll double check that shortly as I'm nipping home from work briefly.

It's hard to tell as the noise is so faint and with all the other background noises it isn't always aubile. I got my partner to stand outside the car as I turned a couple of times and while I could hear it, she could not...which was odd as I can't hear it in the car with window up.

But I think it was stopping when I applied the brakes yes. I'll do around the industrial estate now when I nip out and try it while listneing out specifically for that

MooMoo444 · 22 Jul 2013 at 12:07

I have a similar issue on mine, a squeak/screech coming from the front wheel(s) at low speed, stops when turning sharply, stops when I put any weight on the brake.

Therefore, interested in how you fix it!

Makhaira · 22 Jul 2013 at 12:09

Reason I ask about the brakes is that if it goes away, could well be a rubbing issue on the brakes.

If it's not brake related, then it could be the wheel bearing - had my rear passenger one done this very weekend on my ST220 because it was squeaking at low speed - once I got it off, the bearing was half seized, so definitely the right move.

blitzwing85 · 22 Jul 2013 at 12:30

Well on my way home I couldn't tell to be honest. Everytime I turned a corner a bus was stopping, another car was screeching by or birds were chirping. lol

I'll try again on way back to work on quieter roads.

Didn't think of bearings as I expected they would cause the noise to be worse at high speeds. As I say though, it's into garage later in the week so If I can't solve it myself before then i'll see what they find.

He's been doing VW and Audi only for 30+ years and is honest so I don't mind taking it in there.

Makhaira · 22 Jul 2013 at 19:44

Depends how the bearing are failing.

blitzwing85 · 24 Jul 2013 at 09:24

Follow up:

I've been away on business so haven't had a chance to look into it anymore but on my return this morning my partner informed me that the Oil light has just come on in the car.

I honestly was 99% sure I checked this but now I'm thinking I didn't. Maybe I was about to then got called away and forgot....then later had it in my head I'd checked it.

I say this because I've had this twice before where low oil level caused a screeching noise when turning left. It happened in a new Astra VXR back in 06 after only 6 months and never came back after oil was topped up. It also happened in an old Type-R I had for 18 months or so. In that, the oil was bone dry - none left at all. Again, never came back once topped up.

If it is that, which seems likely now with the light on then I can't believe the problem has been there 1 week and could be solved in 5 minutes. Oil level check was the 1st thing I went to look at the day I heard it due to above experiences.

Memory FAIL!!! :eek: