Squealing Sound After Driving A While

Hi Everyone:

I finally have an idea about this intermittent problem that has only occurred whilst my wife has been in the car.

Today I have a much better description of what happens, and I hope someone can give me an idea as to what might be amiss.

After driving for some while, more than 40 minutes in this case, and after slowing down from highway speeds to more modest 60 or 70 km and less, there starts a fairly loud squealing sound that comes from the driver side wheel area.

I would say it sounds like brakes squeaking -- kind of like a rubber on rubber squeak, not a metal on metal sound, though. The sound stops as soon as the brakes are tapped, but resumes shortly thereafter.

After the car cools down, the problem is fine again, as long as you don't drive for more than 30 or 40 minutes in a single go.

I ran outside while my wife drove when this sound appeared just today, and the noise is most definitely isolated to the driver side (left) wheel area. There is a definite vibration, too, when I put my hand on the fender.

I haven't pulled the wheel off, because I really don't know what to look for. I assume that the problem has something to do with some piece or other heating up and expanding. Or maybe not.

Anyone have any advice on this strange problem?

Many thanks,

Jiggus

Oops! Forgot to say, I have a 1997 Rav4. Lots of kilometers.