pslewis

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

Graz

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

*Sonic*

no, he put gold wheels on by mistake

his eyesight aint what it used to be

Bubba po

Power-steering pump?


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

Sprint Chief

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

pslewis

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

Ray_li

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

ScoobyDoo555

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

pslewis

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

Bubba po

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?

Ray_li

if only I could find a woman like that

pslewis

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

Bubba po

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

Graz

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

johnfelstead

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.

pslewis

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

Graz

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

pslewis

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