Squealing/squeaking

[Stupidmia]

Here I am again to call on your wealth of knowledge ;)

I jumped in the car (the Rav) to come to work about an hour ago. As I set off, I heard what sounded like a very brief scraping noise, then immediately I could hear an high pitched sqeak. Initially I thought someone was letting off fireworks somewhere, but I noticed it stopped when I applied the brakes. I picked my workmate up and set off again, I couldn't hear it any longer...however, when I slowed at the works entrance, I could hear the loud high pitched squeak again

With windows down, we ascertained it is possibly coming from the rear drivers side wheel...and my initial thoughts are that it could be a wheel bearing?

The noise stops when I apply the brakes, but then reappears when I take my foot off the brake.

My worry is that I have heard nothing until tonight and that the scrape noise may have been it going 'catastrophically', rather than gradual wear?

Does this sound right? Or could it be something else?

Is a new wheel bearing a big job? Is it best left to Toyota? Or is it an easy job for the local garage? Is it expensive???

Cheers

Patrick

[Joylove]

Could be corrosion on the handbrake. When coasting at about 15 mph and with noone behind you, gently apply the handbrake one or two clicks. This should clean off the rust.

I usually have to drag my handbrake at about 30 to 50% at walking pace to get all the rust off on the BMW, but every car is different. Start small and work your way up.

[Stupidmia]

thanks for the reply Joylove

Will try it...but it was the suddeness of it appearing (following the scraping noise)...it was fine when I was out in it a few hours earlier. It has gone from nothing to a squeal.

Just got in before on a slight slope and rolled the car back slowly ....could hear a constant metallic scraping noise from the back wheel (so at least I am sure which one it is).

Would have jacked it up tomorrow and had a check for play etc....but I'm sure I don't have a jack on the SR180, coz of the stupid runflats. I'll maybe ask my neighbour if he has one.

There's something happened... so whatever it is, I think a visit to the garage is in order...sooner, rather than later.

[Davrav]

thanks for the reply Joylove

Will try it...but it was the suddeness of it appearing (following the scraping noise)...it was fine when I was out in it a few hours earlier. It has gone from nothing to a squeal.

Just got in before on a slight slope and rolled the car back slowly ....could hear a constant metallic scraping noise from the back wheel (so at least I am sure which one it is).

Would have jacked it up tomorrow and had a check for play etc....but I'm sure I don't have a jack on the SR180, coz of the stupid runflats. I'll maybe ask my neighbour if he has one.

There's something happened... so whatever it is, I think a visit to the garage is in order...sooner, rather than later.

Check for a piece of grit or stone trapped against the disc.

[pgp001]

Have you checked the condition of your pads, it sounds like you could be almost down to the backing metal and maybe one edge is rubbing on the disc.

If the noise isa ffected by applying the foot brake, then it is unlikeley to have anything to do withe the handbrake, as that uses totally seperate brake shoes.

I would inspect the pads as my first job, then if they are OK check to make sure they are not siezed in the caliper.

Phil

[bothwell_buyer]

I'dgo with a stone or one of the neighbours cats stuck in the disc/caliper space.

Canna see a bearing failure on that young a car unless you have been using it for ram raiding ATMs

[Stupidmia]

Yeh...did change mind on bearing...set off for home this morning and it was fine..took a left tight bend and it started again for a short distance until i got up speed...then it was fine until i got a little noise as i turned up my junction. if ot was stone would it score the disc? the disc looks ok...also, do the standard Toyota fitted pads have a wear tab? I did read something about these...but it could have been from AMerican owners.

[Stupidmia]

I am thinking about getting the rear pads done (think they were an advise on its recent service and mot)...are genuine Toyota pads best? Or is there a better OEM replacement? I think under fixed price service, the dealers are around £100 for rear pads...if they are the best and i am only going to save £20 by going independent with aftermarket ...ten that is the route i will take...I haven't had much work done in recent years, having usually been lucky/covered by warranty..so have lost track of what it costs for various things.

[Joylove]

£100 for pads!

Try Euro Car Parts and World Car Parts. Pagid, Brembo, AGP and many others sell brake pads. Consider doing the discs at the same time to save labour costs in the long run.

[anchorman]

Front pads are quite capable of squealing due to "off brake contact". As long as they are not worn out there is nothing to worry about. Due to potential problems with disc run out, it would probably be better to fit some aftermarket pads that are a little more abrasive than the original ones. You want those discs to look bright and shiney not brown and stained like the OE ones create.

I pay about £80 for new discs and pads.

[CharlieFarlie]

I think You may find You do have a jack ?? My T180 has one under the floor in the rear and it of course has run flats..

Wee Charlie.

[Stupidmia]

Haven't checked for a jack...but used someone's trolley jack and found a stone rattling around between disc and guard! Phew ...drama over...pads and discs fine too. Thanks for all the replies...a very helpful group