YACT: car makes grinding and squeaking noises

[rudeguy]

I could really use some help here. I will keep it short and sweet.

Car: '94 Cavalier
Problems: squeaks and makes grinding noises at all speeds
Other symptoms: is very loose about 65 MPH

the noises just started. The grinding is constant and gets even worse when breaking. Any help is appreciated.

EDIT/UPDATE:

I jacked up my car this morning and gave the wheel a few good tugs in each direction. No play. Then I pulled the offending wheel off and inspected the brake pads. The out pad and rotor were fine, but the inners were shot to heck. I actually had shards of metal stuck to every part of my wheel.

I called down to my buddy at NAPA and got 2 rotors and a set of pads for ~$40. I was so happy I offerred to have his babies. We didn't have all the tools to do it today, but we will get it done tomorrow.

Final UPDATE:

Pulled off the pads and there was nothing left. The reason they were grinding even when I wasn't braking was that the pad had actually slipped out of the caliper. Both sides were trashed. Replaced all pads and both rotors without a hitch.

Thanks for all your advice ATOT, you guys really are the best

 

[shuan24]

grinding noises coming from where? The engine, the back, or near the tires?

Sounds like you really oughta take it to a mechanic shop.

 

Where is it coming from?

Right off the bat my guess would be a wheel bearing. Get it looked at immediatly.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: shuan24
grinding noises coming from where? The engine, the back, or near the tires?

Sounds like you really oughta take it to a mechanic shop.

from the tires. Mechanic is not an option.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: shuan24
grinding noises coming from where? The engine, the back, or near the tires?

you can't figure that out by reading whats posted? unpossible!

 

[spaceman]

im no mechanic but my guess would be brakes/rotors.*shrug*

 

[shuan24]

sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: shuan24
sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

even though it happens when I am not braking?

 

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: shuan24
sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

even though it happens when I am not braking?

Warped rotors or a messed up calipur could be causing part of the calipur assembly to be rubbing against the rotor. When you brake the pad isn't being pushed onto the rotor properly so the sound gets worse.

I still think it's a wheel bearing.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: shuan24
sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

even though it happens when I am not braking?

that sound really bad....

 

[shuan24]

yes! actually the more you drive it at this point, the more you're gonna pay to fix it! if its not too late already......

 

[Eli]

Sounds serious.

Ok, I'll try and help...

Is the grinding low pitched, deep rumble? Or is it high pitched, accompanied by squeeks?..

I'm going to agree with SampSon. Wheel bearing.

Thankfully, if you're mechanically inclined at all, I don't think it should be a big deal... Other than perhaps not having the necessary tools.

 

[shuan24]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: shuan24
sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

even though it happens when I am not braking?

Warped rotors or a messed up calipur could be causing part of the calipur assembly to be rubbing against the rotor. When you brake the pad isn't being pushed onto the rotor properly so the sound gets worse.

I still think it's a wheel bearing.

i though a wheel bearing would cause a knocking sort of sound, and it affects the way you turn? (i guess i'm thinking its part of the CV joint)

 

[AMDZen]

You can hear the tail-tails on some pads even when your not braking. So its possible there is still some pad left. Get it looked at now, or what they are saying about about other brake parts may be true in no time - if not already.

 

[AMDZen]

Let me add. Pads are about the easiest thing in the entire world to do yourself. Get a tire wrench, take the tires off in the front first, take the caliber or drum apart and just look at the pads for yourself.

 

Originally posted by: shuan24

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: shuan24
sounds like the brakes really, squealing happens when the pads are worn out, either that or you have a cat stuck in your wheel. I think its option A.

even though it happens when I am not braking?

Warped rotors or a messed up calipur could be causing part of the calipur assembly to be rubbing against the rotor. When you brake the pad isn't being pushed onto the rotor properly so the sound gets worse.

I still think it's a wheel bearing.

i though a wheel bearing would cause a knocking sort of sound, and it affects the way you turn? (i guess i'm thinking its part of the CV joint)

When my wheel bearings were shot it would make a constant and oscillating grinding sound. When I turned the sound either got worse or lighter depending on where the weight of my vehicle was shifted.

 

[mordantmonkey]

i am guessing CV Joint at this point. but who the hell knows? does it sound worse when turning?

no matter... get it to a shop pronto. the longer you drive on it the more chance you have at causing more colatteral damage from a failed part.

if it is a cv joint go ahead and replace both. chances are the other one will go out in the near future.

 

[rudeguy]

thanks for all the quick replies. I can handle doing repairs myself, I just don't know how to diagnose things. I have a buddy that usually does it for me, but now he works at a shop across town. I will start with the pads since they are the cheapest and easiest to fix. Anything else I should look for while I have the wheels off?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: rudeguy
thanks for all the quick replies. I can handle doing repairs myself, I just don't know how to diagnose things. I have a buddy that usually does it for me, but now he works at a shop across town. I will start with the pads since they are the cheapest and easiest to fix. Anything else I should look for while I have the wheels off?

When the car is jacked up and the wheels are free, you can test the wheel bearings before removing the wheels.

Get right down there and give the tire a good whirl. See if you can hear where it is comming from.

 

[shuan24]

calipers and rotors. You might have already damaged them.

 

[DougK62]

Jack up the offending side, grab the wheel by the top and the bottom with each hand, push and pull in and out. Do you get play?

 

[redlinejaxfl]

yep, sounds like a wheel bearing.which can lead to warped rotors due to the inconsistant application of the pads to the rotor/rotors.the pads are actually always in contact with your rotor,so that could still be part of your noise/problem.a problem can also occour in the braking system bc of a failing wheel bearing. the sounds you describe are wheel bearing noises. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. When a wheel bearing stops working, the wheel stops turning,and when a wheel stops turning all of the sudden, then it feels alot worse than a tire going flat! you're going to have serious problems if it happens and you're diving at any descent rate of speed.

 

[TwoBills]

Man, your front brakes are gone and the rotors are probably trashed. Cavalier rotors are only $20 -25 at Auto Zone (made in China). Pads are like $35. Get to it.

 

[DaTT]

I have had many cars that I run the brakes down to nothing....it is your brakes making that gawdawful noise......A wheel bearing generally doesn't grind when it goes bad....more of a hummmmm at high speeds.

 

[iluvtruenos]

You said it handled bad at 65mph. Get an alignment and make sure you have the right tire pressure on all four tires. It's probably a wheel bearing.