Loud Squeal - Steering or Brakes?

First things first, my name is Zach. I had a different account but forgot password and e-mail. So this is my new one; and I'll remember this time!


I love my 95 s/c rivi and when I first got it two years ago I noticed a slight squeal whenever I turned the wheel to the left. It was very minuscule and throughout the drastic climate changes here in FL I figured it was due to.... whatever! (Mistake #1).About two months ago I noticed it was coming back, but louder! Everytime I turn the wheel to the left- even a weeee bit- it squeals. If I turn to the right, it's slightly supressed.

I figured it could just be the brakes. Took off the wheel and checked the brakes, but I didn't see much drag with turning the wheel both ways. So Due to the issues a while back I believe it is something to do with the steering. Any suggestions?

I call upon you rivperformance.... Help!!!

Welcome NelsonZ. What happens when you steer while not rolling? Still get the noise?

AA wrote:

Welcome NelsonZ. What happens when you steer while not rolling? Still get the noise?

Nope! It's really weird, it comes and goes at different speeds.
Sprayed a little brake cleaner in there, nothing sounds better.
I don't know too much about suspension but from what I can see,
nothing looks broken or needing to be replaced.

When you get a squeal does it change pitch with engine speed or vehicle ground speed? Does the propensity to squeal coincide with vehicle or outside temperature?

albertj wrote:

When you get a squeal does it change pitch with engine speed or vehicle ground speed? Does the propensity to squeal coincide with vehicle or outside temperature?

Yes it does.
Its a little hard to hear if it's both sides or not, but for sure hear it in the left.
^^imagine seeing someone dangling out of there car while moving..... ooops.

NelsonZ wrote:

albertj wrote:

When you get a squeal does it change pitch with engine speed or vehicle ground speed? Does the propensity to squeal coincide with vehicle or outside temperature?

Yes it does.
Its a little hard to hear if it's both sides or not, but for sure hear it in the left.
^^imagine seeing someone dangling out of there car while moving..... ooops.

Let's try this again. These are separate questions.

Does the squeal change pitch with changes in engine speed (Y or N)?

Does the squeal exist if the car is coasting in neutral (Y or N)? In that state toes the squeal change pitch with changes in ground speed? (Y or N)

Does the squeal exist only at certain temperatures? What are those temperatures?

1. Does the squeal change pitch with changes in engine speed (Y or N)?

2. Does the squeal exist if the car is coasting in neutral (Y or N)? In that state toes the squeal change pitch with changes in ground speed? (Y or N)

3. Does the squeal exist only at certain temperatures? What are those temperatures?

~~~~~~~~

1. Yes, creeping up to a light is the worse.

2. Haven't tried it.

3. Florida's winters are never consisted temperatures. I honestly, couldn't say at which temperature (hot/cold) but It seems to be worse after warming up the car and brakes.


EDIT: Now that you cleared that up, I remember it starting just before the cold weather rolled in. I remembered my father having a similar problem with his FJ. It turned out the power-steering fluid needed a top-off. It could be just below the cold-mark on the reservoir. I'll give that a try later today!

Thanks Albert.

NelsonZ wrote:

1. Does the squeal change pitch with changes in engine speed (Y or N)?

2. Does the squeal exist if the car is coasting in neutral (Y or N)? In that state does the squeal change pitch with changes in ground speed? (Y or N)

3. Does the squeal exist only at certain temperatures? What are those temperatures?

~~~~~~~~

1. Yes, creeping up to a light is the worse.

2. Haven't tried it.

3. Florida's winters are never consisted temperatures. I honestly, couldn't say at which temperature (hot/cold) but It seems to be worse after warming up the car and brakes.


EDIT: Now that you cleared that up, I remember it starting just before the cold weather rolled in. I remembered my father having a similar problem with his FJ. It turned out the power-steering fluid needed a top-off. It could be just below the cold-mark on the reservoir. I'll give that a try later today!

Thanks Albert.

squeal while creeping - yes check the power steering and transmission fluid.
squal while coasting - find someplace you can coast without hitting objects or people, and try it.
squeal with change in temperature - if worse after warmup you may have a problem with one or more brake calipers binding or one or more internally-collapsed soft brake hoses.

Have you looked at the brake pads? Some pads have a sensor that will produce a constant squeal onece the pads reach a certain thickness. Sorry if this is stating the obvious. A belt squeal sounds different than brake squeal to me. Either the belt is slipping, or the calipers/brake pads are causing the squeal. Check the belt for glazing or tightness, and the pads for contamination/thickness.