Squeal when turning left

[mpm235]

Hello,

My 08 Prius makes a squeal / squeaky noise --- when turning left, when I move the steering wheel just slightly to the left, sounds like its coming from the front left corner (but can't be certain). 

I've tried the "putting it in N and firm breaking technique", in case it was break rust, but it is still the same. Anyone got any suggestions? Many thanks for any/all replies.

cheers, Mark

[Ancient Nerd]

At a guess, it may well be a wheel bearing.

My old gen 2 Prius had a similar noise, also on the nearside. The Toyota dealer took two or three services to diagnose it. We eventually got it fixed at a local garage for about half the Toyota dealer quote, with no problems. (This was a trusted local garage, with an excellent reputation. Otherwise, we would have had it done by the dealer.)

We also had a rear bearing go on our gen 3. Apart from a siezed brake cylinder and any  couple of brake pads and discs, these were the only real problems in 320,000 miles between the two cars.

[Duffryn]

This might not be at all helpful but a similar sounding thing happened to me once on a Vauxhall Cavalier that I had. A very small stone had lodged between the brake pad and disc. Selecting reverse for a couple of yards dislodged it and it dropped out (much to my relief!).

[Ancient Nerd]

3 minutes ago, Duffryn said:

This might not be at all helpful but a similar sounding thing happened to me once on a Vauxhall Cavalier that I had. A very small stone had lodged between the brake pad and disc. Selecting reverse for a couple of yards dislodged it and it dropped out (much to my relief!).

I'd forgotten that. This happened twice on the gen 2 (185,000 miles), never on the gen 3 (135,000 miles).

You can usually fix it by reversing. Otherwise, delicate probing between the brake disc and the protection plate behind it. It won't break the bank if you get a garage to do it.

[mpm235]

Thank you both very much,

I will try the reversing thing, if its wheel bearing, I can get that sorted no worries.

cheers, Mark

[mpm235]

Problem now solved....

My mate, who has a small garage and always looks after my cars, has replaced the pads (with cheap ones), cleaned all the breaks up, replaced fluid,  plenty of copper grease on. Now car is completely silent. Total cost £90. Sorted.