Tonight while driving I noticed a funny sound coming from the front/passenger side of the car. Kind of a rubbing/squealing sound, coming from below the glovebox. I first wondered if it was air in the heater pipes (kind of like pipe noise in an old house) - turned the fans/heat off, that didn't stop it. Then I realized the noise was outside the car.

Then I suspected a dragging brake pad - light braking didn't stop it. It changed the noise, but didn't stop it.

Got to my destination, and as the car slowed the noise dimmed. I reached around behind the wheel and didn't find any sticks or crap tangled in the brake lines or suspension, and the brake caliper was cool (no dragging). I pushed around the metal shield that sits behind the rotor, and it wasn't touching.

On the way home, the noise continued, especially at higher speeds.

Took the wheel off, couldn't find anything. Took the brake caliper off, still couldn't find anything. It still made noise when I spun the rotor. Finally, I tapped off the rotor, and something fell out from behind it:
the squealer

Boy was I relieved. That was getting pretty f**king annoying. You can see how one side is rubbed smooth.

 

dude i love you................I was getting the same noise it was driving me f*ckin crazy!!!! I did all that you said you did already, so i went out side jacked my car up and gave my drivers side rotor a tap and plop like a little piece of crap 2 rocks fell out, your the man i cant belive i didnt think of doing that