Help, Name that noise?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Help, Name that noise?
I have a new noise and I don't know where it is coming from. It sounds like a brake wear indicator crossed with sort of high pitched squeel. Sort of like the sound a hair dryer motor emits.
I can hear it at speeds below 40 but then tire noise gets to high, it seems to go away at 20mph, but it could get quiet enough that I am just not hearing it.
I have turned the car off while coasting to hear better and it is still there so it's not engine or exhaust related. It doesn't seem to change in pitch much or anything. Pressing the brakes does not change it either ruling them out plus the pads are like new.
I noticed today that my e-brake would not engage sometimes and other times it would. Anyhow, any theories? Do bearings or U joints emit a high pitched constant noise like this when they go bad or what? I just had new axle seals put in if that matters, I don't know??
Anybody have any good ideas?
:confused:
I can hear it at speeds below 40 but then tire noise gets to high, it seems to go away at 20mph, but it could get quiet enough that I am just not hearing it.
I have turned the car off while coasting to hear better and it is still there so it's not engine or exhaust related. It doesn't seem to change in pitch much or anything. Pressing the brakes does not change it either ruling them out plus the pads are like new.
I noticed today that my e-brake would not engage sometimes and other times it would. Anyhow, any theories? Do bearings or U joints emit a high pitched constant noise like this when they go bad or what? I just had new axle seals put in if that matters, I don't know??
Anybody have any good ideas?
:confused:
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Mobile al
Re: Help, Name that noise? (C4 4Me)
Just a guess, but the Ebrake is a set of drums inside the rear caliper, could be that, but like I said just a guess.
Could be a wheel bearing also, probably need a passenger to help listen and see if you can pin it down to a corner or at least front back.
Could be a wheel bearing also, probably need a passenger to help listen and see if you can pin it down to a corner or at least front back.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Help, Name that noise? (C4 4Me)
Check the rear brakes, maybe the person who did the brake job made a mistake.
FYI, to all of you who don't know it but C4 uses the rear calipers for parking brake.
FYI, to all of you who don't know it but C4 uses the rear calipers for parking brake.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help, Name that noise? (kbklt1)
Wasn't it in 1988 the drum emergency system went away. The new system basically forces the whole caliper sideways into the rotor.
Since the e-brake is acting finicky, I'm thinking I better start there, perhaps it is not releasing all the way.
Since the e-brake is acting finicky, I'm thinking I better start there, perhaps it is not releasing all the way.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Mobile al
Re: Help, Name that noise? (C4 4Me)
oops, thanks for putting me right on the E brake thing.
Jesh, has it been 12 years sense I have worked on a set of GM rear's, darn it, the last time this happened I was amazed to find a rotor back there instead of a drum :)
Sorry for the bad info in the first post, I'll try to be more carful.
Jesh, has it been 12 years sense I have worked on a set of GM rear's, darn it, the last time this happened I was amazed to find a rotor back there instead of a drum :)
Sorry for the bad info in the first post, I'll try to be more carful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Help, Name that noise? (kbklt1)
I've had problems with my E-brake also. If you've been having problems, it may be hanging and not releasing all the way. You might want to check that first.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Re: Help, Name that noise? (C4 4Me)
I just had this problem and it was the Right Front Wheel bearing! That took awhile to figure out to as I was convinced it was somehow the brakes (which are brand new). In the end the wheel bearing itself was warped just a bit so that it did not turn perfectly even (I could see this with the wheel off spinning the hub, it wobbled a tiny bit). I replaced it and tada, problem fixed !
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Help, Name that noise? (R94 LT 1)
I think it was the e-brake hanging up. It now engages and releases consitently unlike it was doing before and it appears the noise is gone. I'm gonna get under and lube up all the linkage for good measure.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 5
From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Help, Name that noise? (AquaMetallic94LT1)
My 87 C4 uses a drum brake inside the rear disk rotor as the parking brake.
I just wish they had a better caliper on it...like the C3 has ( 4 pistons per caliper ).
I just wish they had a better caliper on it...like the C3 has ( 4 pistons per caliper ).