Screeching noise coming from front driver side wheel

[kissenger]

Ever since we've had this spell of cold weather I've been getting this intermittent 'screeching' noise when driving my car (an 06 Prius) and, no, it's not the wife or girlfriend in the passenger seat It seems to be coming from the front driver side wheel and someone who was riding in the car the other day said it sounds like a brake pad issue. It goes away when I brake hard and also doesn't appear to be there when I'm at motorway speeds. It seems to mainly occur when I'm turning right (even just very slightly right).

Any thoughts on what it could be and how to fix it? Don't really want to take it to a garage if it's something I can fix myself as this car is proving a money pit already.

 

[kissenger]

Brakes can screech or sound rough in winter weather, down to the build up of grit, rust and other rubbish no doubt.

If it's screeching with no pressure applied to the pedal then that's a sticking calliper issue.

It does screech even when not using the brake. In fact, it screeches less when I use the brake. It's strange though. On some journeys they do screech and on others they don't. If it was the brake wear indicator it should make a sound all the time.

 

[kissenger]

I just checked the documentation from my last service (2 months ago) and it states the brake pads still have 5mm left, and since then I've done maybe 2500 miles, so I wouldn't say it's the wear indicator.

I suppose I could try and take the wheel off and check to see if there's any debris in there, although I've never done it before. What equipment would I need and what exactly am I looking for?