I'm Not Crazy! The Squeak! It Exists! SWEET VALIDATION.

"Stef Schrader" (stefschrader) 07/28/2017 at 03:13 • Filed to: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS, Lancer GTS, Lulzcer, Mitsubishi, Updates

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Photo credit: Matt Rhoads

A while ago, I noticed a tiny, quiet squeak. A faint eek-eek-eek-eek as I drove along. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! except for me—until now.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I recently took the car to have the rear brake pads swapped and the whole hydraulic system bled to alleviate some squishiness in my pedal. Sure, that’s all stuff I could do at home, but it’s been hovering around the triple-digits outside and more humid than most summers I can remember, so brake work is a whole lot of Heckin’ Nope . I will eat the cheesiest of boxed dinners at home to pay someone else to sweat that out.

My brake pedal returned to its normal, wonderful, uniquely oh-so-satisfying unsquishiness, but I got something better when they returned my car.

“It sounds like you might have a little bearing noise when it’s rolling.”

HARK! What is this? I am right? I’m not crazy or imagining weird squeak-noises? Someone else heard my mystery squeak?!?!!!

Problem is, they’re probably right. The Lulzcer felt like it was wandering all over the place over the course of a 5-hour drive, and I wasn’t sure if that was because I was exhausted or what. The wheel seemed to shake a little like it did when the 944's wheel bearing went out.

It’s probably time.

Which is probably expensive.

Drat.

I even jiggled the wheels a little once I’d reached my destination and sure enough, I felt a little side-to-side play. It’s possible that this could also be from being sleepy and imagining things, but that seems less possible. Either way, not good.

This means that I have (in a way) actually driven the wheel off of my car. But more importantly: I’M NOT MAKING UP NOISES!!! The sound! The sound exists! It’s not just me! It is a real sound that emits high-pitched squeaking into your eardrums!

IT’S REAL!!! Eat it, Sasquatch. You, mystery woodland monster-creature, are less real than my mystery squeak (which has grown irritatingly louder over time). Pffffttttt.

Tareim - V8 powered > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 03:39

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it’s always great to finally have that noise confirmed, I remember my old mk4 golf tdi had a bit of a squeal during acceleration that no one else could hear (baffles me how they couldn’t) anyway it turned out that the intake manifold wasn’t tightened up fully so air was leaking between the manifold and head, done that up and no more squeak :D

pip bip - choose Corrour > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 03:41

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my Lancer had all 4 done not too long ago, only realised after had gearbox replaced. gearbox whine was drowning out the wheel bearing noise from all 4 corners.

:/

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 04:17

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as part Sasquatch I take offence to your last paragraph.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 04:18

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I just do this:

pip bip - choose Corrour > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 07/28/2017 at 04:33

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that worked only in conjunction with the window down @110km/h

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 04:36

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good old drivers down with the rest up so you get the wub wub wub buffeting?

pip bip - choose Corrour > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 07/28/2017 at 04:43

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yep, also helps drown out my tinnitus

jimz > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 05:10

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I had an SRT-4, don’t talk to me about wheel bearing replacement.

though they always started groaning long before they had a chance to dry out and squeak.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 05:26

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are you Baby Driver?

pip bip - choose Corrour > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 07/28/2017 at 05:54

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i wish.

CalzoneGolem > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 06:29

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Sure, that’s all stuff I could do at home...

It makes me sad that people feel the need to apologize for or justify paying a mechanic. It doesn’t make you less Jalop to fix everything on your cars people.

random001 > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 06:49

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Either the Lancer is really tall, or Stef is really short. Or both...

random001 > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 06:49

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What?

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > CalzoneGolem 07/28/2017 at 07:26

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I’ll admit, I was silently judging her at first, but you’re right, screw it, if you don’t want to be out in shitty heat, or you just don’t feel like it, then who are we to judge? All of us have our own threashold for when we will call in a pro. Thank you for your comment and reminding us that we don’t need to make excuses.

pip bip - choose Corrour > random001 07/28/2017 at 07:31

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sadly all true.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > random001 07/28/2017 at 07:38

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She is that short

random001 > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 07:40

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Huh? Speak up!

random001 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 07/28/2017 at 07:41

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Fun sized?

pip bip - choose Corrour > random001 07/28/2017 at 07:44

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about half past nine!

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 07:45

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Congratulations. Now, mind coming over to locate the squeak in my WRX?

random001 > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 07:53

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AH! Yes, I love mine, too!

CalzoneGolem > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc 07/28/2017 at 07:55

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This is good oppo.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/28/2017 at 08:28

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*squeaks

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 08:54

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I had to take my car to have it’s oil changed because my garage looks like this currently.

I have mixed emotions about that.

TheRealBicycleBuck > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 07/28/2017 at 09:07

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There’s only one squeak. The rest are rattles.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 09:07

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I had a wheel nearly fall off my Impreza due to wheel bearing, then hub failure. So there was the compound effect of paying for a tow, and then the repair. That wasn’t even the last straw, or wheel bearing that car chewed through.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 09:10

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I think the only solution is to take it to Lone Star RallyCross this weekend to finish it off then take it to the shop.

Dave the car guy , still here > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 09:52

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Did the hit and skip bounce off the wheel? It could have damaged the bearing and needs covered on a supplemental insurance request on your original claim. That being said see if they also checked alignment and/or the tie rod ends? I’d also look to make sure a brake shield isn’t making rotor contact from bearing play.

uofime-2 > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/28/2017 at 10:10

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More details?

If its wheel related, and you’ve monkeyed with any of them lately first guess is dust shield got a little bent and is intermittently rubbing the rotor.

Alternatively check your pads and rotors. Once the rotors are worn and have a lip on the edge that will make odd squeeks with the pad from time to time.

uofime-2 > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 10:17

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You’re in texas, so nothing should be thaaaaaat rusty.

Good chance they’re unit bearings, and not that hard to replace.

Stef Schrader > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/28/2017 at 10:46

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Awwww. Mine’s at a shop this morning down here because it felt wandery, shaky and super annoying.

Stef Schrader > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/28/2017 at 10:47

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IDK. Have you tried rat poison in the engine bay?

and 100 more > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 10:53

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On a fwd Lancer, the rear wheel bearings should be easy to replace. You could do it in an afternoon with a decently flat surface, a standard socket set, and some generic internet directions.

Hell, you’re in Austin. Plenty of Oppos in Austin. Juat call in an Oppo meetup, buy a couple 12pks, and watch your bearings magically be replaced before your eyes.

Stef Schrader > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc 07/28/2017 at 10:53

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The heat index has been hovering around 107ish, plus I’ve been slammed with other work, too. Noooooope. I pulled an oil sample from the 944 the other day and just that was pretty brutal. The shaded carport helps, but shops have fans, better tools and less busy people, heh.

It’s nice to have someone else occasionally check my work on little things, too. I’m pretty particular about working on the car and my car hasn’t fallen apart yet, but the second set of eyes and hands is appreciated.

So, yeah. I think Jalop-ness is more about enjoyment of cars more so than the ability to work on them. It’s all good.

Stef Schrader > random001 07/28/2017 at 10:53

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Yes.

Stef Schrader > Dave the car guy , still here 07/28/2017 at 10:56

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Yep. They tagged the front left wheel when they hit that corner of the car. The wheel was turned out since I was parked on a hill and I definitely saw a big mark on my tire where it’d been hit when I saw the damage.

If it’s the front left, we’re making a call to my insurance company about it.

Stef Schrader > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/28/2017 at 10:57

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Yeah. The 944 started wobbling like this, but more violently at a track day. Cut my day short since the wheel could come off! But yeah. It’s at the “nuisance that’s getting worse and possibly scary” stage.

Stef Schrader > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 07/28/2017 at 10:59

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Meh, there’s no shame in it. There aren’t many disposal options close to me, so I usually let a shop handle oil on the Lancer, too. (The 944 needs a lot more oil, so that one is all me, though.)

Stef Schrader > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/28/2017 at 10:59

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Can’t. Stuck in northeast Texas for a family emergency. :(

Stef Schrader > uofime-2 07/28/2017 at 11:00

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Oh, I assure you this is wear. Haha.

Stef Schrader > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 07/28/2017 at 11:00

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Sorry!

uofime-2 > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 11:02

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I wasn’t doubting that, just how much work and extra parts would be required to replace them!

random001 > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 11:03

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Still the best, Stef!

Dave the car guy , still here > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 11:08

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That probably wouldn’t have been missed in our shop. We were Progressive Insurance’s #1 rated repair shop in US this past quarter.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 11:14

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:( I saw on Facebook. Prayers and best wishes for you and your family.

TheRealBicycleBuck > uofime-2 07/28/2017 at 11:22

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The noise is coming from the passenger-side rear, the same area where it was hit last year. It’s something that’s moving, not rotating. It typically happens on bumps or when the weight is shifted forward under hard braking. I thought it might be the hatch, but I lubricated the hinges and all contact points. No dice. I plan to take everything out of the car, including the spare and jack, to see if it is something sliding around. I don’t expect this to be successful.

I will probably have to take it back to have it checked. It may be covered under warranty.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 11:23

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We have a bigger problem with buzzing. At least the buzzing critters keep the squeaking critters at bay.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Stef Schrader 07/28/2017 at 13:23

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Bearings are easy. Source: do bearings.

uofime-2 > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/28/2017 at 13:49

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We have a bigger problem with buzzing. At least the buzzing critters keep the squeaking critters at bay.

ha ha ha

Not entirely sure how serious you are about this, but it’s funny either way

TheRealBicycleBuck > uofime-2 07/28/2017 at 14:28

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Any vehicle that sits more than 48 hours develops a bad case of the hives. Well, nests.

The plain red wasps are fairly docile, but the yellow-faced ones are super aggressive. They’ve taken up residence in several places in my old truck and in the bushes next to it, and in the cable box on the wall of the garage....

I haven’t seen any sign of mice in the truck, so I assume the wasps have something to do with it. As for my squeaky car, I can only assume that parking it on the same driveway as the truck would impart some protection since they are stationary objects in the same territory.

uofime-2 > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/28/2017 at 15:24

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Oh, you literally meant critters. That’s not fun at all!

That sucks!

My girl just had a clutch of orb weaver spider eggs hatch somewhere inside the cowl of her car (they’re harmless but terrify her) and we’ve been attempting to get rid of them. Not easy to do in a car.

Stef Schrader > TheRealBicycleBuck 07/30/2017 at 00:54

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Yeeeeeeah, if it’s where prior damage was fixed, take it back to the shop and point it out. Should be warrantied.

Stef Schrader > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 07/30/2017 at 00:54

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Baby Driver had the WRONG CAR.

Stef Schrader > Dave the car guy , still here 07/30/2017 at 00:56

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When I tried to move wheels around, it felt like it might be one of the rears, not the front one that got hit. So, IDK.

Stef Schrader > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/30/2017 at 00:56

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Thank you.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Stef Schrader 07/30/2017 at 04:30

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red rexies are cool though. I thought they were foreshadowing an 86/BRZ chase with the toy car but noooooooo

Stef Schrader > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/30/2017 at 10:49

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...and wait a second, who deez IRL? Feel free to ping me via FaceButt (which I hate but oh well) but I always forget names to screen names.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Stef Schrader 07/30/2017 at 11:09

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I’m just a longtime Jalopnik/Black Flag reader - the public profiles of the staff pop up in my FB feed here and there and you had that one marked public I guess.

Dave the car guy , still here > Stef Schrader 07/30/2017 at 20:23

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Side impacts are weird. Last fall we had a Kia Soul with front tire hit where wheel and tire were fine but impact ruined bearing, subframe and tie rod. Somebody hit the tire while turned and there was no body damage.

Stef Schrader > Dave the car guy , still here 07/31/2017 at 00:58

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:( GRR!

Hopefully I find out what’s up tomorrow.

Stef Schrader > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/31/2017 at 01:03

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Ahhhhh. Yeah. Most of mine’s non-public because the profile’s just for family and friends I know IRL, but I think it mandates my profile pic be public, plus it shows up elsewhere when other people comment. Weird.

Dave the car guy , still here > Stef Schrader 07/31/2017 at 09:22

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good luck!