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Squealing Sound After Driving A While

11066 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Chazwel
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.
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It sound like either brakes or CV joint. With vibration the CV is more likely the cause.

Either way, both brakes and CV's usually include fitting in the parts price. So it will be one of those things that you don't save anything by doing it yourself.

Most brake places will do a free check and they should be able to check the CV's too.

If you want to check the CV's yourself...First look under the car at the back of the wheels. If the rubber boot is damaged in anyway or has grease or oil on them, then it is time to replace the joints. If the boot is clean and not damaged then jack the car up and check for movement in the joint. Any movement in the joint means it's time to replace them.
OK, Ozman, thanks for the reply. That gives me something to hang my hat on.

Jiggus
Change the front wheel bearing the same time if you change the CV joint. I didn't when I changed the CV joint and had to change the wheel bearing 2 weeks later. Hope this helps.
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