Mystery squeak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Webster MA
Mystery squeak
My 98 coupe A4 has an awful squeak that only shows up when I am traveling under 30 mph or so. It doesn't happen every day (it is my DD) but it will squeak even when on smooth flat roads and going straight. Best comparison is to that special shopping cart with the busted front wheel that no one wants to use (you guys know the one right? every rotation has that awful high pitch squeek).
Any ideas where this is coming from?
Any ideas where this is coming from?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Dry wheel bearings? Chatter from brake pad against rotor? Water Pump/Alternator bearing--- the infamous bird chirp coming from under the hood?
When and under what conditions does it NOT do it?
Not a lot to go on, but good chance it can be narrowed to a small field to look for it.
When and under what conditions does it NOT do it?
Not a lot to go on, but good chance it can be narrowed to a small field to look for it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by PolishFreak
My 98 coupe A4 has an awful squeak that only shows up when I am traveling under 30 mph or so. It doesn't happen every day (it is my DD) but it will squeak even when on smooth flat roads and going straight. Best comparison is to that special shopping cart with the busted front wheel that no one wants to use (you guys know the one right? every rotation has that awful high pitch squeek).
Any ideas where this is coming from?
Any ideas where this is coming from?
Sounds like its hub related if it happens even straight and level.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Webster MA
It sounds like it comes from the right side tires - I can't tell front or rear. Pads have about half left but I'll probably take em apart to see how everything looks.
What is the "infamous bird chirp?"
What is the "infamous bird chirp?"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by PolishFreak
What is the "infamous bird chirp?"
A known issue at some point ... just a matter of when!
Mine turned out to be harmonic balancer, after replacing all idler and tensioner pullyes as well as a water pump. (Warranty of course)
More noticeable at idle up to around 1500 RPM or so, then seems to go away. Sometimes very difficult to identify exactly where it's coming from.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 996
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this may sound funny but i had a squeek and it only happened when i braked at low speeds or accelerated and it turned out to be the damn seatbelt itself, the chirp was driving me crazy and only at low speeds b/c at high speeds i couldnt hear it b/c the stereo got louder as i increased speeds anyway its probably not it but another problem ive encountered
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Originally Posted by diyguy
Mine turned out to be harmonic balancer,
yep..take a good look at it..it has a rubber bushing between the balancer and pulley...mine was broken and sticking out....squeaked like a beotch occasionally then nothing
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