'97 Altima Brake Issues

[bskeeton]

I'm having two problems with my 1997 Altima.
1. This problem has been going on for a while now. When driving (seems worse on hot/humid days, and after driving for awhile), there is a whine/squeaking that seems to be coming from my front passenger side wheel. Gets worse when I turn right, better when I turn left, and resumes when going straight. Braking doesn't increase or decrease the problem, and it seems worse between about 25 mph and 45 mph.
2. My ABS warning light came on a few days ago, but is only coming on intermittenly. It will come on when I start the car, then if I turn it off, and turn back on, the light goes off. Has only come on three times. I'm not sure if this might be related to problem one.

Also, does a 97 Altima have one serpentine belt or two belts (AC belt and alternator belt I think)?

Thanks!

-B

[4trackmixtape]

The noise might be caused by something rubbing on the rotor. On my 95, the shield on the backside of the rotor got bent in towards the rotor and caused a lot of noise. Don't have any experience with ABS, so I don't know if the problems are related.

There are three belts in your Altima. One for the water pump & power steering, one for A/C, and one for the alternator.

[JustSayGo]

If the noise doesn't change while braking, brakes probably are not the cause. The noise could be from a wheel bearing. A tire could make the noise. Load increases and decreases on opposite sides when you turn which would explain the noise changing. Either a wheel bearing or tire might get louder when they get hotter on longer trips. Increased load on the right when turning left should make the noise louder if the problem is on the right side.

The low fluid level sensor in the brake reservoir cap is connected to the ABS light. Make sure it isn't low on brake fluid.

I think my 97 has two serpentine belts. One for A/C and one for W/P, P/S, and Alt. I can only find two belts listed under parts. I will look under my hood to make sure.

[4trackmixtape]

Originally Posted by JustSayGo

<snip>I think my 97 has two serpentine belts. One for A/C and one for W/P, P/S, and Alt. I can only find two belts listed under parts. I will look under my hood to make sure.

The Chiltons says three, but it's unreliable as hell. A lot of times it will leave steps out or just give you bad info. Case in point: I was trying to aim my headlights, the Chiltons says left/right adjustment is made with the allen screw on the bubble level. That doesn't do anything so I look in the owners manual and it says never turn the allen screw, adjustment is made elsewhere! I think I'm going to spend the $75 for a factory service manual from the dealership.

[JustSayGo]

The Haynes Repair Manuals leave out a few steps as well. The Altima Factory Manual could be a huge benefit. Some factory shop manuals are easy to read and understand while others are not. They probably sell the 97 Altima manual according to VIN. Then there are updates that follow after the book was printed. The manuals that I have liked working with most are Mitchell. Just check out the price for a year of Internet access. WOW! Out of my reach. Sounds more like car payments to me.

[bskeeton]

Thanks for the insights on this. On the noise issue, I've always thought it was either a bearing or some sort of rotor issue. Since its been going on for about three years now, I lean away from a bearing (it has been my understanding that a bearing will lock-up completely not too long after beginning to make noise). In the last day or two, I began hearing a grinding on the front brakes, so Friday I'm getting new rotors and pads put on the front. Hopefully that will do something with the noise issue (I'm going to have my mechanic check the bearings on that side as well).

Also, I think I have concluded that there are two belts, just FYI. Thats not a definite, by with a combination of output from this, chats with mechanics, and my own poking around under the hood, two belts seems more probable.