I have been noticing lately that as I get in/out of the car, roll up next to a building (ie. drive-thru window) I can hear a squeek coming from the rear, on what seems to be the driver's side.

I did some searching and came across XViper's post in this thread as a guide. https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry3341337

I have already had the axle nuts retorqued to proper spec and then re-staked, but since i have owned the car (May of 2006) I have not replaced any suspension components. Does anyone have further insight into what the cause might be?

I do have the Service Manual on my computer here so if I need to take apart suspension components and grease them then I suppose I can do that.

Any guidance is appreciated!

 

Is there any difference in brake caliper temp?
Drive around for a while without braking too much (freeway?) and slow down as much as possible without braking, then stop.
Feel if one side gets hotter.
IOW: stuck pad/caliper.
Any grooves on the rotor? (both sides)
Anything caught by the pads, small rock?
As mentioned: does the squeek dissappear when pulling the e-brake slightly?

 

can you describe the sound itself better? it squeaks as it rolls slowly, as well as when you get in/out? the same sound?

if it happens when you get in/out, i don't think it's the brakes.

edit - out of sheer curiousity, your signature - what is youngin'? i always thought that was slang for "young one", until i saw how you spelled yours...

 

1. is the squeak rotational, matching wheel speed?
2. can you hear it on/off throttle, in/out of gear?
3. does turning sharply to one side or the other change the sound?
4. can you describe the noise a little further...is it a metallic squeak/groan, or does it sound more like the suspension settling...is it high or lower pitched?
5. can you hear it immediately after first starting to drive, or does it only surface once the car is warmed up?

this isn't a fix by any means, but you could try tightening the axle nut even further and taking it for a short test drive to see if that changes anything. if you can no longer hear the noise, then i'd say you have a wheel bearing going bad.

 

I'm going to try some of those suggestions to determine if it's the brakes, wheel bearing, axle nut, or suspension. Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

I think the only way I can describe the sound is that it reminds me of what it would sound like to sit down quickly on an old spring bed. "Creeka-creek creek" for just 2-3 seconds total.

I've tried putting it in neutral and rolling down through my garage to hear it more clearly and it's definitely there. Is there a definite test for a bad wheel bearing? In the past I've thought a bad wheel bearing sounded more constant but I don't think any past RWD car of mine had a bad one. It was always the rear wheel of my FWD cars.

I will check the caliper temperature as well just in case.

 

I'm familiar with the squeak, I'm also familiar with the clicking and vibrations. In fact I've had both rear axles replaced in the 3 years I've owned the car already (2001). The first one was done under the CPO warranty at the dealer (clicking first, then squeaking really bad). The second one was different. It had a little squeaking I think, but one day when I was out of state for work it just snapped on me and I had it replaced at a garage. Here I am a year later and the squeaking has come and gone. I took it to a dealer here and they said the hub nut and the bearings were fine, but I'm not so sure they really put that much effort into looking.

I haven't tried the ebrake thing, and I haven't tested the heat of the rotors. Any other ideas? It's most common to hear the noise under braking. It comes and it goes, some days I might not hear it, some days I hear it all the time.

I appreciate any help you guys can provide.

Thanks,
Adam

 

i just had another bout of the squeaks...went so far as to buy a wheel bearing for my other side, only to notice after a while that the noise only showed up under braking. further testing showed that it only happened with the front brakes (i braked with the e-brake and no noise.) found out my front passenger rotor was bad out of round (.020")

i replaced them, and now all is well. for now. :knockonwood:

 

I tested braking with the e-brake and the sound continues, so I guess that means it's a problem with the brakes vs the bearings?