Odd noise - where should I start?

[nj swb]

OK, odd one, looking for some thoughts on what it might be.

For the last few days, when the car is cold, I get an intermittent noise that's a sort of cross between a chirp and a squeak, and dependent on steering angle.

It's loudest while turning right, and related to road speed - as I go faster, it gets faster, but I can't go real fast on a sharp right turn. It rarely sounds while driving straight, and I've never heard it turning left. I don't hear it once the car has warmed up. It disappears with the faintest pressure on the brake pedal - which suggests brakes.

I'm thinking maybe I have a slight warp in a disc, but there is no hint of a pulsing under brakes, and I can't figure out why it would change with steering angle. I can't detect any movement in the calipers, but if I try real hard, I can sort of imagine the slightest hint of play in the front right wheel - perhaps it's a bearing problem? Touching brake discs when I got home, I couldn't detect any difference in temperatures.

Any thoughts?

[Ian H]

Have you checked to see if the front axle is rubbing on the strut ? I had that problem when a bush failed and they noticed a ring mark on the axle.

[ticky]

Gday Scott,

Bearing noise usually is a drumming sort of noise in the early stages but certainly detectable when turning as you say. They tend to develop into a squeak as they get worse from my experience. and the noise is usually speed relative.

I suppose Its possible that as it warms up the Grease provides a little more lubrication.

One suggestion would be to jack up the front and spin the wheels while holding a long screw driver on the back of the axle somewhere, and the handle to your ear. You may be able to detect a grinding sound or at least a different sound from the other side. Ive never actually tried this, because I am a bit deaf so by the time I can hear a wheel bearing, there is seldom any doubt. I have done it on Alternators and water pumps Etc to pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

Good luck mate and yell out if you need any tools or anything, I have a pretty good selection apart from my car kit.

Steve

Steve

[Nab]

My work car had a similar issue, it turned out to be the brake pads worn low and the little metal bracket occasionally touched the rotor. New brake pads solved the issue.

[starjunk]

My work car had a similar issue, it turned out to be the brake pads worn low and the little metal bracket occasionally touched the rotor. New brake pads solved the issue.

Are you talking about the brake wear indicator wire thing? That makes more of a scratching noise dunnit?

[RoyHarvey]

Noise detection

Not sure if this will help for your noise, but many years ago I had a troopy that developed a high pitched bearing noise appearing to come from the gearbox area.

In desperation I made a crude stethascope out of some surgical rubber tubing, a bit less than 2m long, one end simply secured (wired/tied) in various locations around the gearbox area, then similarly secured/routed up and through the drivers window and into my right ear.

That was enough to leave little doubt the transfer was the cause and it turned out to be the needle bearings in the idler shaft.

[m_and_m]

My work car had a similar issue, it turned out to be the brake pads worn low and the little metal bracket occasionally touched the rotor. New brake pads solved the issue.

X2 NJ.
Ol' NP had a very similar symptoms which was ultimately the brake wear indicator. Didn't make a scrape sound like you'd expect. Mine also only made the noise on a slight turn in one direction.
Check front pads.