whirring or chirping noise from front right wheel?

here's an odd one....

A new noise started today, a whirring or chirping noise coming from the front right wheel area....

Started when went out for lunch today, it had rained pretty good, after a few miles, the noise went away....figured that maybe something got wet and then dried out....

Happened again when left work later.....drove 5-7 miles, the noise went away, drove another 5 miles, noise came back..

Happens at any speed, sometimes is louder than others...no change upon making turns or when the brakes are applied so i am figuring that it's not a brake issue.

Sounds almost like something is rubbing or something is stuck in the tire, I checked it out, couldn't see anything.

I've had bearings and cv joints go bad on cars before, this problem always produced a clunking noise upon making turns...no clunking noise here...

"whir,whir,whir,whir....."

damned odd.....

tires are in good shape with only 10K miles on them

I did have the oil changed yesterday but i've been taking my cars to these guys for years, I can't imagine that they did something to cause this....

anyone have any educated guesses?

Thanks!

Is the plastic guard around your wheel well peeling back or anything? Cuz if it gets loose and catches the wind as you drive, it'd rub against the tire then of course stop when you slow down.

It may be a sign of a worn front pads. How many miles do you have on them?

thanks..the pads have about 50K on them, no braking issues though, that was my first thought.

owners manual states that the wear indicator goes off when applying the brakes...

i have a ford escort where the indicator sounds when the brakes are not applied, when one applies the brakes, the chirping on the escort stops....odd

the wear indicator on the honda works the other way

also, nothing in the wheel well or anywhere else that i can see rubbbing

A lot of cheap brake pads (the ones I always use) are rated for about 10,000 miles. With 50,000 you are way over the limit. It, of course, depends on style and roads we drive. The wear indicator might be bent, damaged, etc. I have seen a guy who intentionally removed it.
If I were you I would check it right now. Better be safe than sorry! Replacing damaged rotors are more expensive that just pads.

Sam

thanks..the pads have about 50K on them, no braking issues though, that was my first thought.

owners manual states that the wear indicator goes off when applying the brakes...

i have a ford escort where the indicator sounds when the brakes are not applied, when one applies the brakes, the chirping on the escort stops....odd

the wear indicator on the honda works the other way

also, nothing in the wheel well or anywhere else that i can see rubbbing


Most times, the indicator will make noise at first when the brakes are applied, this being the only condition that the tabs that make the noise make contact with the rotor...as the pads wear further, the tab will ride the rotor all the time, making the sound, until the brakes are applied, which puts enough force on the tab to stop the vibration which makes the sound...then as they wear further and make hard contact in any condition, no noise will be heard from them...a very light drag is required to produce any sound...

Thanks for the replies gents.....honda dealer is saying power steering pump is going bad, will be replaced under warranty....they ordered the parts.....and the noise has disappeared since they looked at the car.

Will also be getting new front brakes shortly....but not at their outrageous prices!