I've noticed when I have been driving that there is a squeeling coming from my car. I think somewhere around my wheels, but I'm not positive. It mostly happens at speeds above 40mph or so. I have also noticed that sometimes when I slightly turn my steering wheel the squeeling goes away. It also doesnt happen all the time...probably about 75% of the time. Any ideas of what it is? I just had my diff. bearings replaced a few months ago, so I hope to god its not that again...what do you all think?

 

Hard to diagnose sounds/squeals over the internet, but it sounds like its either:

1. a slipping belt
2. a bad wheel bearing

 

sounds liek your door seals.

 

Could be brakes also.

 

putting my money on loose belts

 

Also, chech the plastic panels inside your wheel wells. I had strange noises from my front end that I couldn't figure out (happend at higher speeds and sometimes when turning).

It turned out that one of those plastic pieces had cracked and was moving a bit, just enough to barely graze the wheel, so when I got up to speed or turned I'd get strange sounds!

1) See if these plastic panels are loose. That's easy to fix if it's the problem.

2) Put the front of your car on jack stands and spin the wheels by hand, see if anything rubs. Check to see that the brake calipers are not engaged. Ideally have someone push on the brake pedal and see if the calipers engage and release as they should.

3) Check the rear end in the same manner. Pay close attention to the brake calipers! Fourth gens are know for seizing rear calipers and/or parking brakes. Those dammn parking brake cables and "self adjusting" rear brakes - they are just prone to failing...

4) Loose belt is also quite likely. Or a worn belt. I'd check the belts to see if they have cracks in them or other signs of wear...

5) yeah, wheel bearings or CV joints. Go to a parking lot, roll down the windows, drive in a very tight circle going left and then going right. Listen for a clicking sound. That would signify worn CV joints.

That's the best I can offer. I've solved three separate "weird sounds" coming from my car over the last year, I hope you solve yours.

 

thanks for the help. I just found out that along with my alternator and battery, I need my tension belt fixed. could that be causing the noise? Ill know when I get my car back today from being ripped off at the dealership...battery, alternator, and tension belt for $890...

 

Why did you take it to the stealership for that? You've been
my friend!

 

No problem. I was hoping it would be one of the simpler fixes, like the plastic piece rubbing or even a CV joint (inexpensive to fix).

Just curious, why are you having the dealer do the work? Battery shouldnt be more than $100, alternator shouldn't be more than $200 for remanufactured, Belt is $30, plus figure 2 - 3 hours labor. Shouldn't be more than $600 - 650 at a regular mechanic that gets a nice fat labor rate of even $100 an hour!

I'm guessing they have you paying for a new alternator instead of a remanufactured for half the price!

ASK THEM IF THEY CAN USE A REMANUFACTURED ALTERNATOR THAT COMES WITH A WARRANTY (usually 1 year to lifetime warranty depending on where you get it.)

 

Hmm I Have A 98 Max Gxe And I Just Found Out That There's A Recall On All 96-98 Max Alternators. I Had A Disgustingly Irritating Squeal For A While But I Found Out That's What It Was. The Dealership Fixed It For Free.

 

i've replaced all of the door seals it's amazing how much noise was slipping in and caused lots of stressfull diagnoses.

 

Where did you find info on this recall???? Love to get another alternator for my 06 i30t.