Squeaking wheel

[Mrbenn]

I have a squeak coming from my front wheels. At first I thought it might be a wheel bearing so I took the hubs off on both sides and they're fine. They look like they're in good condition. If they were on my bicycle where the tolerances are probably a lot finer I'd be happy with them. I did have to add one washer on the passenger side to remove a little excess play. After driving round for a couple of hours (100 milesish) the squeak is back. Its making me wonder if I could have a sticky brake piston. When I got the car the front offside brake was binding slightly and got very hot (smoking - but it was a cold wet winter day so might have been steam). I replaced the pads and cleaned the dust from round the pistons and nothing since. If I had a sticky piston on my bicycle disc brake I'd clean it with some degreaser and lubricate the piston with a little of the mineral oil fluid the brakes use. Would this process work on the B (but using the dot fluid). I don't fancy rebuilding the caliper as I don't really have the tools for that.

[Not_Anumber]

Have you tried putting a small amount of copper grease/ anti slip compound on the back of the brake pads ? That usually fixes the front brake squeals for me

[Mrbenn]

It has some on. But the squeak isn't when braking. The brakes make no noise at all when in use.

[Ian F]

I would probably just replace the calipers, it sounds to me as if it could be a sticking piston not retracting. This causes the pad to rest lightly on the disc.
You could:

# check the disc run-out with a dial gauge
# work the pistons in and out after examining them for corrosion and scoring. Add some red brake grease all round the piston under the dust cover.to ease the retraction.

Ian F

[Bumpa]

I agree with Ian, my opinion also is that you have a sticking piston. Rather than just go for a replacement, I would remove the pads and then with a suitable G-clamp press the pistons right back into the caliper, taking care that the master cylinder reservoir doesn't overflow. Then replace the pads and pump the pedal to get the pistons back to where they were. That might be all you need to do in the first instance. If that doesn't help, then rebuilt calipers might be necessary.

[Not_Anumber]

Another trick with the piston is to carefully rotate it a quarter of a turn whilst you are checking it/ pressing it back in. Ive resurrected 3 sticky calipers over the years just by doing this

[Mrbenn]

Found the cause of the squeak. It was a pair of knackered steering gaiters. So they have been replaced. What is odd with this car is the big ticket items have been done but there's lots of little cheap but fiddly ones (Overdrive switch, tired old dizzy, steering gaiters) that haven't been done or have been half donkey'd.