squeeling rear wheel?

[timaishu]

Hey guys,

My altima about 3 days ago began squeaking only from what sounds like the rear right wheel area.

Its the type of squeal you hear when someones brakes are really bad, but its not obnoxiously loud. What is strange is it does occur even when the brake is not applied, and sometimes when breaking it will cause it to occur as well. It is intermittent in that its not not constant, just chirps a bit while moving at slow speed. I have not heard it going any faster than say 20-25mph. Usually happens when creeping through my neighborhood or in a parking lot.

I also tried applying the parking break while in motion to see if the drum break is the problem and pulling on it makes no difference in the sound.

Im gonna pull the tire off this weekend and inspect the breaks. Anything else you guys can think of to inspect?

Also for reference, I bought my car late 2009 and as part of the deal, I had them provide me paperwork stating new breaks were installed at all 4 corners. So as far as I know, it had brand new brakes when I bought it, and its still on those same rotors and pads 50-60k miles later.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Can you feel any vibration whatsoever when this happens?

Sounds like the wheel bearings going out.

[timaishu]

Can you feel any vibration whatsoever when this happens?

Sounds like the wheel bearings going out.

No vibration at all.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

When you go to inspect the issue first jack it up and then rotate the wheel/tire assembly to listen for it. Also make sure there is no wobble.

Also while its in the air, place a pry bar under the tire and raise and lower the suspensions via pry bar and check for pops/noises.

[timaishu]

When you go to inspect the issue first jack it up and then rotate the wheel/tire assembly to listen for it. Also make sure there is no wobble.

Also while its in the air, place a pry bar under the tire and raise and lower the suspensions via pry bar and check for pops/noises.

Will do. Also as for the suspension, I installed new struts/shocks and new springs all around 1-1.5 years ago. I installed kyb excel-g and lowering springs.

[Setec Astronomy]

Just sounds like your on the audible wear indicator for the brake pad.

[BillE]

Check wheel nut torques.

Loosen all, then re-torque to proper specs.

Not a common problem on 'cars', but easy to check.

Bill

[Mantilgh]

Sounds like what Setec said, just starting to rub the wear indicators. Can be very intermittent at first. If you have the time, compare the thickness to the other wheels pads and compare the inner and outer pad on the affected wheel. If for some reason one is worn down way more than the others, something may be sticking on that brake causing it to not release and wear faster. If you have not had your brakes replaced and they were originally all done at the same time, the front will typically wear out first.

Also, when the car is up and supported, grab the wheel by both sides and /or top and bottom and try to "shake" to see if the wheel has any excess movement in a direction that it should not.

[brettS4]

Not likely your wheel bearings. Those make a droning sound and kick in around 30mph and remain constant at any speed above that. Most likely the pad wear indicators. 50k miles is about the amount where you'd see the pads getting thin. If they're under a 1/4" thick, they're about done.

It could also be the guide pins on the piston sticking a little.

[damaged442]

I had a situation similar to what you are describing. In my case, it was on a 2009 Acura TSX. The guide pins, which should be all nice and lubricated, had dried out which caused the pads to drag more on the rotor. On my left rear, I had half of the pads left. On the right side, where the guide pins hung up, I was metal to metal.

That was the sound I was hearing. What was left of the pad was in constant contact with the rotor scraping and grinding away.

Once I got everything apart and cleaned up, replaced and lubed, I was good to go.