My Scooby has started making a squealing noise - only when I move the steering one way or the other

Its related to wheel speed so has something to do with the wheels/final drive

The front brake pads and discs have now done 56,000miles and I reckon they are close to being finished (but they have looked finished for 12 months!)

What does the brake pad warning sound like? Is it REALLY loud? does it vary with the applied pressure on the brakes?

I can't hear it when I wind the window up!!

Pete

 

You've got your hearing aids turned up too loud and they're feeding back you silly old duffer

 

no, he put gold wheels on by mistake

his eyesight aint what it used to be

 

Power-steering pump?


Just a random suggestion. I don't know owt about cars.

 

Power steering pump (or belt) could explain the squealing when turning the steering wheel, but I would not expect it to be a function of wheel speed - also this would typically be worst when turning the wheel when the car is stationary.

Could be wheel bearings on their way out causing the brakes to squeal, or excessive run-in on the discs.

Could be brake pads, or excessive brake dust build up causing the squeal. 56000 miles on a single set of front brake pads? This is clear cut evidence of driving like a girl. Thought you should know

 

Cheers Sprint Chief and others

Its not PAS - I know the sound you mean and its not that

Its down by the wheels I think - thought it was the pads are a bit low and the discs have a 1mm lip on both sides so close to the limit.

Just wondered what noise the wear indicator made? Is it like a squeaking or a definitive squealing (this is like a squeak, and as its related to wheel speed it would point to disc run-out)

Yes, I reckon 56,000miles is something of a record, but I never drive on the brakes - I anticipate and use the gearbox!

The tyres also are looking 'tired' .......... this could be REALLY expensive!

Pete

 

brake pad indicators are spring clips that rubs against the brake disc when the pads are low. Hope that give you an idea of the sound you should get when pads are low.

its about time you buy a new scooby Pete

 

Pete - could it be a foreign body caught in the disc(s)?

Doubt it's pads as you say it's related to wheel speed.........

HTH

Dan

 

Dan:- Foreign Body!! Good thought!!

I really didn't think of that, my mind went straight to what the wear indicator might sound like.

Cheers will have a poke about!

Ray li ..... yeah, maybe should get a new one - you just want my old one!! and I can't blame you either ..... 1 owner, never raced, never modded, FSSH, UK Car, Silver Wheels, treated extremely well - what a find!!

Pete

 

I reckon it's definitely the pad wear indicators, based on what you've said. When you had the last MOT, didn't the testers remark that the pads/discs might need replacing before the next test?

 

if only I could find a woman like that

 

I was told in November 2003 that the pads needed replacing within 2000miles - that was about 13000miles ago

But I have waited for the squeal ......... all I get is a squeak!?

Pete

 

When mine needed doing, what I got was a sort of tinkling.... "Ebenezer.... these are the chains I forged for myself in life.........."......

 

Yeah back in the days of ineffective drum brakes you probably would use engine braking more than the actual brakes themselves but please get with the times. Why put additional and uncessary load on your drivetrain when you have a perfectly good set of disc brakes up front. A set of pads costs around £100 whereas a gearbox rebuild your probably getting nearer to £1000. Welcome to the 21st century

 

probably worn pads pete. When you put some steering lock on the pads move slightly due to the brake hoses being compresed as they move, it can take up the pad enough to just tickle the wear indicator against the disk if its floating half a mm off the surface.

 

Cheers all - I reckon its the pads .... I will renew the discs too (clever of Subaru to have chosen the pads and discs so that they wear out at the same rate! Top Design!) ..... oooops that looks sarcastic, it isn't meant to be (I really think they are very well designed wear rates!)

Now, clearly I am VERY gentle on my brakes - so, can I get away with the cheaper end of the market with regards pads/discs?

Thanks again!

Pete

 

Errr but Pete this would be classed as a modification as your using non Subaru parts and therefore goes against your ethos. You may as well fit gold wheels while your at it

 

I am considering a non-performance/non-cosmetic mod. so its allowed by the Subaru Impreza Standards Institute (SISI) that I chair

By the way - its changing the make of the brakes NOT declaring that I am GAY!!! (in the same way Gold Wheels would)

Pete