My 2003 1.8 Astra has developed a high pitched intermittent squeal. It seems to start after about 4 or 5 miles into a journey and at low speeds just comes on for a few seconds for no reason.
At motorway driving 60-70mph it is a very high pitched and constant until I come off and then it will either stop for sometime or become intermittent again.
Each time the car is taken to garage for inspection the problem never seems to occur.
I'm 99% certain that it is coming from 1 of the wheels on the RHS. I have eliminated the brakes as being the culprit as the car has had new brakes and calipers 4 discs and pads all round under warranty last year due to a fault. They have been inspected on 2 occasions in recent days and 2 garages confirm that the brakes are ok.
Could the problem be a wheel bearing or has anyone one out there got any other ideas what it may be?
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needle in a haystack!!!! but at 70mph is this just driving or are you pressing the brake when it squeals? possible dry alternator drive belt,or worn tensioner bearing? how old is the timing belt/aux belt etc??
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There is no pressing of the brake when the squeal is on, it is just normal driving. The timing belt was done in August 06 so I would expect a problem to be in this area unless there is a faulty part but it doesn't sound like engine to me.
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During your motorway driving, does the squeal stop, even momentarily, if you touch the brakes?
Number_Cruncher
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I have noticed that the squeal stops when braking even if it is briefly. As the brakes are fairly new 6 months could this be a warped brake disc causing the problem or a brake pad wearing badly?
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I would take the car to a garage, and ask them to strip, clean, lube, adjust, and rebuild all 4 brakes. This should cost in-between an hour and an hour and a half's labour, and unless they find anything worn out, there shouldn't be any significant parts cost beyond pennies for things like split pins for the rear drums.
If you know a good local independant garage, they will be able to do this work just as effectively (if not more so!) as a Vauxhall dealer (and far cheaper!)
Number_Cruncher
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Bit of elimination needed here.
When car has reached speed and the squeal starts, dip the clutch and rev the engine. If the squeal note does not change then its not the engine.
Again when the squeal is present gently apply the handbrake. If there the squeal note changes it could be in your rear brakes / axle.
Gently apply your footbrake at speed and again listen for a change in note. Now you are down to the front brakes / bearings or driveshafts.
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Fullchat
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I would suggest that applying the handbrake at 70mph, even gently is not a good idea.
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I would suggest that applying the handbrake at 70mph, even gently is not a good idea.
Going on experience of Vauxhall handbrakes, you would need the muscles of Arnold Schwarzenegger to get the handbrake to lock up the wheels at speed. It's even recommended in the handbooks of some Vauxhalls with separate rear braking shoes to that of rear discs to apply the handbrake gently every now and again to scuff up the handbrake shoes. OK, maybe not at 70mph, but at lower speeds.
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Why, ok the brake ligths don't come on but the handbrake is only being applied lightly and the same pads are used by the handbrake as the foot brake on this car. Regards Peter
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OK update time
Been to local Independant garage who have taken the brakes off and cleaed them and refitted them etc. One and a Half hours labour.
Brake pedal is now soft, been back and they say the car is ok. Noticed today that the brake disc on the drivers side is rusty from about middle of the disc towards the centre of the wheel, so obviously the reason why the brake pedal is soft. The is not pulling when I brake as it has ESP etc on it. Been back to the garage about it and he says it'll wear down in a few days.....Not convinced.
As for the squeak.......Yes its still doing it. Been intouch with a vauxhall dealership a different one to where it originally went and they have confirmed that it is probably the front wheel bearing just in need of lubrication and can probably be sorted out fairly quickly. The guy said its not uncommon for this to happen. So why did the original Vauxhall garage not pick up on this especially when I told them it might be a wheel bearing?
Now I'm having to go back and have it looked at again and will probably have to have the brake sorted out again.
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>>Brake pedal is now soft,
No, that's not OK.
>>and they have confirmed that it is probably the front wheel bearing just in need of lubrication
That's peculiar, it's a sealed unit, which can't be lubricated.
Number_Cruncher
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Long shot but my astra has started doing this. Did you ever get it fixed? If so what fixed the problem?
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Unfortunately I doubt anyone will reply. No-one who's contributed has logged on for at least three years.
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