Oppo Remote Diagnostics, part 3017

"davedave1111" (davedave1111) 11/12/2013 at 18:33 • Filed to: None

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So, I took the E30 out today for the first time in a week or two. Drove it all of three or four miles to visit someone, through rush-hour traffic. The whole way there, there was a ridiculously loud squeaking from the left front hub area - I didn't get a chance to investigate on the way, but was clearly a rotational noise. Went away when was I turning right. Didn't matter whether I was under power or braking or just coasting.

I parked up, went inside for an hour or so, then got back in the car and drove the reverse route home. No squeaking audible.

I'd have guessed at rust on the brake disc, but that normally wears off faster. Any ideas? I'm assuming there's a hub or bearing or something going a bit funny, or just something that needs a bit more grease, so I'll have to have a look. Anyone know exactly what I should be looking at?

Squid > davedave1111 11/12/2013 at 18:39

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Squeaking could just be cold brakes, or you need to lube up you calipers. If it was a grinding or rumbling noise you need to check your wheel bearings. If you do the nascar weave and load up to bearings if one is bad it will make it evident. . . Your best bet is to pull off the wheels and do a thorough inspection of your braking and hub components though.

davedave1111 > Squid 11/12/2013 at 18:44

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Cold something, including brakes, was on my question-mark list. But the trip there wasn't long enough to warm anything up, and it had plenty of time to cool off again before the trip home without the loud noises. Which is why it was puzzling me.

And yep, there's no substitute for jacking it up, getting the wheel off, and having a good poke around. But I think it's one of those ones where if I was describing it well, someone would say 'oh yes, it's X' and save me the trouble.

I wondered about wheel bearings, but like you say, that's normally a grinding noise. This was a sharp squeal, but the sound of it once each time the wheel rotated.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > davedave1111 11/12/2013 at 18:45

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Could be brakes. Squealing usually is.

Are the disks lipped at all? My ones on the Alfa were and that caused an intermittent awful squealing sound.

Squid > davedave1111 11/12/2013 at 18:46

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Could be a dust shield issue. Really the possibilities are endless. . .

davedave1111 > Squid 11/12/2013 at 18:47

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Dust shield? Do you mean on the brakes, rubbing slightly? That sounds a distinct possibility. It would be the right kind of noise - metal on metal, slight contact once per revolution.

Squid > davedave1111 11/12/2013 at 18:50

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yup. But it could also mean that it is time for new pads. Pull the tires off and check for any signs of rubbing and how much meat is left on your pads. If accessible lube up the slider pins and you should be good to go.

davedave1111 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 11/12/2013 at 18:58

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I'm sure they must be, although I have no clear recollection. The chances anyone's replaced the discs in years are slimmer than Callista Flockhart. It's the intermittancy that confuses me, though. Why would it be so bad, and then suddenly go away completely?

davedave1111 > Squid 11/12/2013 at 19:01

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There's a good bit of wear left on the pads - checked not too long ago - but they're due for replacement anyway. I'd never heard of lubricating the pins, so I just learnt something.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > davedave1111 11/12/2013 at 19:04

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Really not sure. It might be something to do with the various heating cycles they go through.

If it helps, mine was worse when I turned in one direction, and cleared up a bit when I steered the other. Odd.

davedave1111 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 11/12/2013 at 19:11

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Sounds like that's it, then. I guess the castor angle must affect it on turns. Pads and discs are on the list under non-urgent anyway.

SWMBO was worried about the wheel falling off. I'm happy to be able to reassure her.