I have a MY2002 with 141K miles and recently have started to get a low pitched squeeling noise only when backing up. I don't believe it has anything to do with the brakes as it goes away immeadiately when I stop backing and shift into 1st and drive forward. I also get the same noise when the car is in neutral and I just roll backward.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Check the brake pads anyway, there is a squeal bar on the inside.

 

I should have mentioned I just changed the brake pads. And the noise is only there when going backwards. I also changed the rear diff fluid last fall. I can not think of anything that would make a noise only when going backwards except the transmission but the noise is the same when the car just rolls backwards in neutral.

 

can you try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from? front? back? one side or the other?

 

The sound is coming from the rear as best I can tell. i would have to guess it is coming from the area of one of the rear tires. has anyone ever had a bearing go on a rear wheel? The fact it only happens when traveling backwards is the weird thing.

 

i had a similiar thing happen to me recently.. thought it was the wheel bearing, but as soon as i got it on the lift.. saw the brake shield was rubbing the rotor..

 

the rear bearings are the ones that go usually. i've replaced two rear driver's side bearings. only showing up in reverse is odd though, that doesn't sound like a bearing...