grind/squeeking

[xxtomorrowsliexx]

2002 grand am gt

when im going slow like 5 mph maybe ill hear a grind and squeeking noise that sounds like its coming from the wheels....any ideas?

[evansdad]

Maybe a wheel bearing going bad. Jack the wheel off the ground and try to shake it some. If you feel any play in it then its the wheel bearing.

[Hoags]

Does it happen all of the time or is it usually after the car has sat over night? If is happening when you first start off in the morning it could be the surface rust that developes over night especially in the damp cool air of spring time. It could also be normal low speed rubbing noise that you happen to be hearing because of your low speeed.

Just a couple of thoughts.

And Hey, Welcome to the Forum!

[faboloustw911]

Hmm...could even possibly be that the brake dust shield is bent on the rotor...might check that as well...

[evansdad]

Originally Posted by Hoags

Does it happen all of the time or is it usually after the car has sat over night? If is happening when you first start off in the morning it could be the surface rust that developes over night especially in the damp cool air of spring time. It could also be normal low speed rubbing noise that you happen to be hearing because of your low speeed.

Just a couple of thoughts.

And Hey, Welcome to the Forum!

Never heard of rust growing on the rotor over night.

[Ridenour]

It sounds pads / rotor related to me. If the rotor is warped and there is any play with the pads, they can drag at low speeds - my car does the same exact thing, and it's because my rotors are warped. Having a shop turn your rotors and getting your pads change may very well solve your problem.

[xxtomorrowsliexx]

yes, the more i listen the more i think your right about the brake/rotor noise. maybe its just hanging up a little. i will let it go for a little bit and see what happens. if its a brake or rotor noise it might work itself out as my brakes are very close to new. thanks.

[Hoags]

evansdad, The rust the I get is a light surface rust that comes off as soon as you begin to drive. It used to be real bad on my Montana, We would take it camping and the cool damp nights would cause the surface rust. The rust would cause the brakes to be very touchy when you first drove off in the morning and it would create an awful amount of noise when first applying the brakes. I have also had it occur after washing the GAGT, it doesn't happen all the time but it does happen. Maybe it's the area in which I live and camp, western PA.

[xxtomorrowsliexx]

western pa, i live in wilkes barre(eastern pa)....maybe us crazy PA people just imagine things hahaha...

[Hoags]

I have to ask...do you know what I'm talking about? Or like you say, am I just imagining this?

I think it must be something in the air...literally and figuretively.

Thanks,
Dan

[xxtomorrowsliexx]

no i completely think its possible...the air in the spring here is definately very moist and cool.......but us pa people still are a different breed u must admit

[skibum1111]

I live in New Hampshire, and I get the same thing on damp nights...

[eaglegtx]

I get the same thing. It's often damp in my area.
Sometimes, in the morning, when I leave my house for work....the brakes are as touchy as hell. It goes away within a few minutes.
As for the grinding/rubbing. I assume you hear this rubbing/grinding during very slow breaking? I'm almost positive that you don't hear it during hard to regular breaking.
Anyway. I had the same problem. It was annoying as hell, because I knew that there were new pads on the car. Here is what was causing this slight rubbing noise. Try to bear with me....it's a bit hard to explain.

My pads were on inside out.....If you know what I mean.
I'll try to explain. On your outer pad, there is a very small bump... almost in the center of the pad. If that pad happens to get installed on the inside...that bump will wear into your caliber's piston, causing a slight rubbing noise at low breaking speeds....and will cause serious damage to the piston if left un-attended.
I'm sure I just confused the hell out of everybody, so if ya wanna see some pictures...let me know. I'll show ya what I mean.

[Hoags]

Yes the noise I am refering to is at very low speeds, and it only does it until the brake pads rub the surface rust off. after that it is gone and all is back to normal. the only thing that bugs me is that it does not come off the outter edge of the rotor and in the cooling fins, so it continues to build up. I get a lot knocked off when I change the pads.

I think I know what you are saying about the pads being backwards, I am supprised that the pads even worked. But I have seen my share very strange things when it comes to cars.