Hope you can share your experiences with something similar.

When I am driving I get a squeak squeak squeak noise which is particularly noticeable at lower speeds (30km-50km/20-30miles). It squeaks in time with tyre rotation. (Or very close to it)

When I drive past walls, other cars, or in a tunnel it’s a constant noise that is heard with each rotation of the wheel.


At first I thought it was coming from my wheels or brakes, so I had my rotors machined, pads replaced, replaced pad pins, and jacked the car and spun the wheels by hand to see if it made a noise. Nothing was heard.



Get back in the car and drive…squeak squeak squeak.



It sounds like it’s coming from the front passenger side (LHD).



The interesting thing I found today was that it happens when the engine is off and the car is moved. I had the car off, put the stick in reverse (automatic box) and rolled it down the driveway. Squeak squeak squeak.

It sounded like it was coming from the back of the engine, possibly the transmission.

When I rolled the car forward (still turned off), it squeaked in time with tyre rotation.



Suspension can be a bit squeaky, but it happens on smooth roads and doesn’t sound like it’s coming from one particular side.


My guess is transmission related.


Has anyone else chased a similar gremlin?

 

Yup! we all have! welcome to C3 ownership. Transmission? I don't know. Have you done the same test in neutral? An automatic gear box making a sqeeking noise? Who knows. but have you checked all your U joints? .
And stop taking it to someone else to fix it and learn to do your own repairs. No one loves your corvette as much as you do!
You had someone else repair your brakes. Are you certain they did it right? How do you know?
Time to start checking things yourself!

 

Squeaks can be very hard to track down. I think you are getting close to it. Have you used 2 people to track it down? I used my wife and it worked just yesterday for finding a clicking sound

 

front suspension bushings trans can't squeak when engine isn't running when you hear the squeak, get out and spray control arm bushings with wd40.

 

try your rolling test after removing the driveshaft....although you will have to reinstall it at the bottom of the driveway.

 

I chased a squeak like that once for 1/2 the summer. Only happened (noticeable) at low speed... you know like pulling into a cruise night , checked and changed all the usual suspects and ended up it was a seal on the transmission that was rubbing against the front driveshaft u-joint At some point in it's life someone installed a transfer case seal instead of a normal one.


Anyway, that's not likely your problem. If the squeak is there at slow speed like you say rolling in the driveway...
We jacked the car up onto 4 stands just enough to get the wheel off the ground and with blocking under the trailing arms I had my brother rotate the rear wheels while I slid around under the car until I could pinpoint where the noise was coming from
M

 

Sounds like a wheel bearing.

 

You might take a look at where the rear brake lines attach to the trailing edges, see if you see place that is shiny where something might be rubbing.

 

Shot in the dark , but one of my C3 's had a squeek and same I looked for weeks , I found a aluminium heat shield for the transmission was bent and was just touching the drive shaft when the car was moving, I only noticed it cause of the light scratch it left on the drive shaft . R
a U-Joint is a very good candidate.

 

So if it's in time with the wheels then all transmission and drive line possibilities are out. Both of those rotate much faster than the wheels.

Dry front wheel bearing? Only under duress when the weight of the car is on it so no squeak when in the air.

 

You need to start really simple. It squeaks when the wheels rotate. Pull your right front wheel and clean the surface of the wheel that contacts the hub. Use sandpaper, brake cleaner spray, whatever works for you. Then do the same to the mating surface on the hub. When done, put a small dab of grease on your finger and spread it around both surfaces to just put a very fine coat on everything. Now grease up the lug nuts and lugs and put your wheel back on and torque properly. If you had brake work done, I'm sure they just slapped that wheel back on and overtorqued it with their garage high torque air wrench. Wouldn't hurt to do the other 3 wheels, too.
Duane

 

Ebrake pads ?

 

Also need it narrow it down to front or back? left or right side?

Rear half shafts rotate with wheels. something back there?

 

Yes, have a look at your parking brake hardware. There is a spring in there that likes to break and the remnants like to rub on the drum. Also have a look at your u-joints for a rust colored dust....this indicates a dry joint and it will squeak under load. Attach a magnate to your phone and take vids to isolate where the squeak is coming from.

 

X3 parking brake hardware
pull e brake handle see if it stops or changes
and u joints dry

 

Dust shield on the brakes maybe? I had that problem but it wasn't consistent, just under certain turning/braking conditions.

 

Turn on your headlights ......... Tighten the philips screws on your headlight fairings . My squeak sounded like it was coming from the left rear

 

As always, amazing help from everyone and I really appreciate it.
I think I will start with the e brake and got from there...one by one until I find it!

Appreciate you giving me guidance.

 

First thing I would do is remove your wheel trim covers. Then do a test drive had one several years ago that would make a noise when driving. Easy items first then go to the next easiest item.

 

My $.02 would be to check out the backs of the brake pads. Make sure that there is some of that anti SQUEEK stuff on them. Lots of people don’t use it when doing a brake job. Good luck and let us know when you find the noise