Advice on wheel squeak please

joesmad4it

Cupra TD-aight!
Mar 11, 2008
229
0
Wickford - Essex
Dunno if it's been happening for a while or it's a recent thing but noticed a high pitch squeak coming from what I think is the drivers front wheel. It's not felt through the steering wheel so don't think it's bearings, me old man reckons maybe some grit in the callipers but I'm not so sure. Any suggestions appreciated
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
I don't think it could be grit, that tends to get kicked out as quick as it arrives. My money is on a corroded/bent disc shield, the thin piece of tin that sits just behind the disc and pretty much just gets in the way. It's only thin so it tends not to do any damage, but for the same reason it can get bent and rest on the disc.

Get the wheel off, put your hands round and check that the only thing touching the disc is the pads.
 

Modelmakerman

Mk4 Ibiza FR TDi
Apr 24, 2010
368
1
Bristol, UK
www.modelmakerman.com
Bearings dont squeak they rumble and grind then they go bang! High pitched squeaks/squeals are generally brake associated, if its constant then it could be either a sticky piston in the calliper, something jammed in the calliper or worn pads, if it goes on and off as the wheel turns its a warped disc.
 
Jan 11, 2005
680
0
Barnsley
I had new pads put on old discs and they squealed, even at 60mph!

It turned out that the pads were rubbing on the lip that was worn from the old pads.

Worth checking that nothing is caught between the disc and the disc guard as well
 

joesmad4it

Cupra TD-aight!
Mar 11, 2008
229
0
Wickford - Essex
I had new pads put on old discs and they squealed, even at 60mph!

It turned out that the pads were rubbing on the lip that was worn from the old pads.

Worth checking that nothing is caught between the disc and the disc guard as well

It's not really during braking, in fact firm braking stops it momentarily. Will whip the wheel off I think and have a look.
 
Jan 11, 2005
680
0
Barnsley
It's not really during braking, in fact firm braking stops it momentarily. Will whip the wheel off I think and have a look.

I wasn't braking when they were squeaking. Even at motorway speeds it was still there (without braking). Firm braking also stopped the noise for me
 

Brads91

Active Member
May 20, 2010
147
0
Devon
I wasn't braking when they were squeaking. Even at motorway speeds it was still there (without braking). Firm braking also stopped the noise for me

I have the same intermittent squeak and it's driving me nuts stops when braking though
 

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
Check wheel nut torque and/or put some copper grease on the hub where the wheel goes on.
 

joesmad4it

Cupra TD-aight!
Mar 11, 2008
229
0
Wickford - Essex
So I decided to change brake fluid and sort this squeak out once and for all so first got gunsons easy bleed kit and it was amazing, changed fluid in 20mins. While I had the wheels off I decided to take off the calipers (easier said than done thanks to those bloody pins) and copper grease the pads. On closer look the pads were terribly low so shopped around local places for some but gave up and put the old ones back on greased till I get some more.

The squeek just got worse so now own a nice set of Ferodo ds2500's which will go on at the weekend. My question however (eventually) is why do the AP pads have a tapered top to them and the Ferodos don't?
 
Jan 11, 2005
680
0
Barnsley
Pads are usually tapered to reduce the likelihood of braking noise ie squealing. You can taper them yourself if you think it needs to be done.

I found the DS2500 pads to squeal a tiny bit when braking very lightly but eventually the noise went. I think it was because of the combination of the pads and grooved discs (ATE Powerdiscs) but it was so quiet it never bothered me anyway.

I've got Brembo Max discs to go on mine soon and I'm debating whether to get DS2500 pads again or just use std Mintex which are £75 cheaper!
 

joesmad4it

Cupra TD-aight!
Mar 11, 2008
229
0
Wickford - Essex
Pads are usually tapered to reduce the likelihood of braking noise ie squealing. You can taper them yourself if you think it needs to be done.

I found the DS2500 pads to squeal a tiny bit when braking very lightly but eventually the noise went. I think it was because of the combination of the pads and grooved discs (ATE Powerdiscs) but it was so quiet it never bothered me anyway.

I've got Brembo Max discs to go on mine soon and I'm debating whether to get DS2500 pads again or just use std Mintex which are £75 cheaper!

I'm gonna put them on and see how it goes but the squeal can't be as bad as it is now. I'm gonna keep the discs as they look in rather good condition, will upgrade when I do the rears (advice appreciated if not)

£75 cheaper? Mine were only £100 plus p&p, how much are Mintex pads?
 
May 22, 2009
788
1
South Wales
Hey, just to let you kno that i have the ap racing pads and pin kit for £70 off the dealers, i dont kno if thts a good price or not - i thought it was tho! i am changing mine shortly!
 
Jan 11, 2005
680
0
Barnsley
I'm gonna put them on and see how it goes but the squeal can't be as bad as it is now. I'm gonna keep the discs as they look in rather good condition, will upgrade when I do the rears (advice appreciated if not)

£75 cheaper? Mine were only £100 plus p&p, how much are Mintex pads?

Oddly enough the Mintex pads are £25 :lol:
 

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
Mintex 2041 pads are £25 -£30 on ebay and are excellent! On my TT 312`s anyway.
 
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