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I don't know where to put this question so I just decided to put it in the general question area. Coming home from work the other day i noticed a squeeking noise coming from I believe the driver's side front wheel. It's not a loud squeek (my cd was changing to the next track when I heard it, I can't really hear it over anything somewhat loud) and it doesn't necessarily happen when i go over bumps so i don't think it's the suspension. It happens every few seconds but is not constant.

I was thinking it could possibly be that I need new brake pads, as I'm the first owner and they have not been changed in 48000 miles. How do I check to see if my brake pads are low? Any other ideas as to what this could be? tia

Are you running on stock rims/hubcaps.......


Before i got new rims. my hubcaps squeeked for no apparent reason but my gad is was freaking anoying..... possiblity?

I have an 03 sxt, i'm running the stock 15" rim so no hub caps...

Does it sound like a belt squeeking? Kinda like a squeel? One of your belts might be slipping.

Is your AC running when the squeeking happens?

Hm. it sounds like a belt problem to me.

squealing from that side is probably the belts: depending on milage of car, they could need replacing (over 60k miles, should be checked at 15k intervals)

Turn on car
keep in park with e-brake on ac off
pop hood
get out
open hood
listen for squeal

if you have a squeal, it could be your ALT belt. You have to loosen the top mount bolt and alt adjustment bolt and bottom braket bolt and pull towards the front of car (tight fit, but can be done without removing splash shield and tire, as long as you can place on jack stand). Remove belt and inspect for cracks, tears, rips, etc. Replace as necessary.

if no squeal try this

turn on AC

if squeal, turn off car and check belt for tension and wear. Slip it off by using a 17mm open-ended qrench on top of the tensionor pulley and pull towards the front (clockwise) and slip belt off of pulley then work it off the PS pump and AC compressor. Then visually inspect it for cracks, cuts, wear, tears. Replace if necessary.

If none of the above, you may have a squeaky tensionor, which could mean possible damage to it. get inspected by a mechanic


OK, if none of the above aplies, do this:

after turning on ac, and having no squeal, try to 'rev' the engine by gently pulling up on the throttle cam. If you get a squeal, do the above - if no squeal, it may be your brakes. Which in this case you need to remove the passenger tire and inspect the brakes... if they have never been replaced in 30k miles, they are probably worn out you will need new pads - stock pads lasted for me about 32k miles. Still on stock rear brake pads.

It could be a hub bearing too... to mas info to explain, sorry. Go buy a Haynes manual and look on page 10-8, section 7.

If its as you said and its coming from your driver's side area. Roll your window down and turn stereo off and your AC off. Drive around a bit. If the noise is while your driving and goes away when you stop or stops when you hit the brakes then its time to change the pads. I would change them anyway if you have 48,000 miles. I change my pads every 50K no matter what.

Another thing is to check your caliper hardware...
It might not be your brake pads but the actual caliper hanging because the OE sliders are sticking....

silentneon01 wrote:If its as you said and its coming from your driver's side area. Roll your window down and turn stereo off and your AC off. Drive around a bit. If the noise is while your driving and goes away when you stop or stops when you hit the brakes then its time to change the pads. I would change them anyway if you have 48,000 miles. I change my pads every 50K no matter what.

i know this thread is old but i searched b4 i posted
i change my brake pads at the end of last year i didnt use brake lube tho but my brakes are squeaky do i have to live with the squeak until i have to change them again or is there something i can do to stop them squeaking?

you can take the pads off, clean the backing plate, clean where the backing plate contacts the caliper, and then apply the backing plate lube. if you don't still have the lube (i'm sure you don't lol), you can use an anti-sieze paste. that's pretty much what the lube is, it seems. I just replaced my pads yesterday, had a bottle of never-sieze in the garage, the brake lube has the same color/texture/consistency of the never-sieze. most anti-sieze pastes are capable of handling consistant temps of 350*F +, we use it on bolts on our steam reducing station (50PSI >12-16PSI @ 340*+) at work all the time, never have problems with it.

is it a temperoary solution of good until i have to change the pads again?

Holy Dead Thread revival batman!

ok