Screeching Problem

[Drift King]

I don't know much about brakes or suspension elements so I'm asking this question. A while back I was getting a screeching sound from one wheel that went away with brake pressure. Since then it has gone away on its own but makes a little annoying screech every time I go over a small bump. Originally I thought I needed new brake pads but they still look fine to me. Any ideas?

[00accord44]

Is this coming from disc or drum brakes? Does it sound like definite metal on metal contact?

[Drift King]

These are disk, and yes, I would say it sounds like definite metal to metal contact.

[00accord44]

No crazy incidents recently involving your car going over a curb or anything? Check the brake shield (the plate behind the rotor) and see if its somehow bent in or has a rock/shrapnel stuck in there.

Other than that, sit in hopes of jeffcoslacker aka "Captain Save-Ur-Ride" cuz diagnostics are not my area of expertise... actually I don't think I even have an area of expertise

[Greenblurr93]

metal to metal huh? well if its coming from the wheel well area i would just do a visual check of everything (pads, shield, bushings...etc...) also make sure the pads wear bar isnt touching... if it is... replace them.

[ricebike]

+1... another indicator that your brake linings are starting to wear thin...

look @ the brake master cyl... if it's lower than the max line, you're thinning out... just don't top off the master cylinder unless you're on the "min line"

if it's close to the min line, you'll haveta pull the pads & check on both sides... sometimes the inner pads of a sliding caliper setup would wear a tad faster than the wheel side...

[SilverY2KCivic]

Something to consider, unless you PULL the wheels off, you won't know if your pads are actually gone or not. when you just look with the wheels on, you're just seeing the outside pad. I've seen and HAD pads wear unevenly between the inside and the outside pad. So pull the wheels and check all 4 pads, you'd be surprised at what you might find if the calipers aren't sliding back properly or if the piston is stuck or whatever the case may be. Also check to make sure something isn't lodged between the dust shield and the rotor, or in a tie-rod bearing or something, I've had that happen before too somehow. Good luck!