Jim Kata

Year - 1999
Make - Acura
Model (and trim line) - Integra LS
Drivetrain configuration (FWD, RWD, 4WD, AWD) - FWD
Number of doors, options, etc. - 2 Door Hatchback
Any modifications that you have made to the car? None

What did you do immediately before the problem started?

I was driving home and about 30 feet from my house. I slowly went over a speed bump and immediately after that I heard a very very loud high pitched squeaking sound. Fingernails on the chalkboard style.

Initially I thought it was my brake pads. But I don't necessarily have to touch my brakes for the sound to start.

If I am sitting idle, there is no sound. If I move forward or backwards, the screeching begins. I don't think it was any louder when I used the brakes.

Can it be the brake pads even though the screeching is still there when I am not even touching the brakes? Or is this something I should take to a mechanic instead of your standard chain store mechanics?

Thank you in advance.

WoundLicker

It could be your wheel bearings i'd go get it checked out.

BadNick

I guess it's something rubbing ...as if you went over the speed bump and maybe bottomed something out underneath the car and it's rubbing on a belt or pulley. Either that or if you're in the same boat as I am, it could be your wife.

Cynthetiq

don't the brake pads have those low indicators that make it screech when the pads are low enough?

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BadNick

I could be wrong ...again.... but I figure brake pads and wheel bearings very rarely would suddenly start making constant "loud high pitched squeal" noises, those usually build up a little at a time over time.

Did these noises just suddenly start happening when you went over the bump?

I could be wrong ...again.... but I figure brake pads and wheel bearings very rarely would suddenly start making constant "loud high pitched squeal" noises, those usually build up a little at a time over time.

Did these noises actually just suddenly start happening when you went over the bump?

Since no noise when sitting idling and noise when you move, maybe something is rubbing an axle or wheel or something like that.

Jim Kata

About 5 years ago I did have the brake pads replaced and I knew it was time because anytime I would push on the brakes they would squeal real loud.
Since this all started right after I went over the speed bump, when moving straight forward, straight backwards, turning, I'm starting to think it may not be the brake pads but possibly something rubbing on something the wrong way (after BadNick's suggestion).

Do brake pads usually squeal even if you aren't pushing on the brakes when they need replacing?

cyrnel

I agree, that does not sound like brakes or bearings. Maybe a splash guard?

I know you said slowly, but was it a big speed bump? Was it a straight hit or at an angle?

Does the noise change with engine speed or vehicle speed?

What if you wait to hear the sound, then shut off the engine? If manual, shift to neutral. Still there? Does turning affect the sound?

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lt1s10

I know you said the noise is not there sitting still at idle. What if you rev the engine in neutral? Do you get the noise? Or turn the wheel from lock to lock while sitting still? If you get the noise with either of these then I'd suspect a belt or pulley or something on the engine rubbing/misaligned/broken.

If you have to be in motion to hear the noise then maybe the backing plate for a rotor is rubbing. Does that car have rear drum brakes? A spring could have snapped on the rear shoes causing it drag inside the drum. If it's something with the pad it could be the metal shim (if there is one) on the back of the pad has worked it way out and is rubbing somewhere.

I wouldn't suspect bad bearings unless you didn't notice any noise before or a it was subtle enough to miss. Maybe the CV joint boot is torn and all the grease is gone inside the joint. Haven't heard those make a high pitched squealing noise but it might.

If you can lift the front of car and put it on jack stands you can put it in gear and slowly release the brake or let out the clutch. If the noise is there when the front wheels start to turn you know it's somewhere on the front wheels or axles. Unless it's your transmission but I don't think it'd be that. If you can do this with no noise then it's either an engine component or on the rear wheels.

If you have the tools and the time you should be able to isolate the problem and at least see what is causing it. Once you have an idea of where to look take off the wheel and look around or watch your accessories and belt for wobble or slack. Since it's rubbing you should be able to see the spot it's rubbing once you can figure out where to look. Even if you can't fix it you'll at least know where the problem is and if it's going to cause more damage by driving it.

Jim Kata

Finally got around to run some of those tests to answer some of the questions asked. As soon as I started the car and went about 10 feet I heard a snap of some sort and the squealing stopped. I went around the block and didn't hear anything. The car drove the same as it did before the squealing started. Not sure if I should still take it in or not.

BadNick

Almost certainly a belt snapped. Just look under the hood and find the torn belt, or if it fell out and is lost, look for where the empty pulley is. In any case, I would not drive it very far at all since if it was the fan/accessory belt, you could overheat and risk killing the motor; in my experience overheating is a common way to kill an otherwise still strong old motor.

Jim Kata

6 miles is probably a bad idea then eh?

I didn't see anything after my first initial drive when i heard the snap. and drove it into work today (6 miles). I just took a quick look, and didn't see anything loose (but I don't know shit about engines) so don't know where to look for any missing belts or pulleys. It also is driving just like it was before I heard the sound.

BadNick

I wouldn't worry about 6mi, motor won't even heat up in 6 miles. If you have to drive it, don't let it idle for long since that is heating it up. Then get it fixed asap.

Jim Kata

Thanks for the help BadNick and everyone else.

DEI37

You can overheat an engine in FAR less than six miles. My engine warms up to full operating temp in less than three on a 10*F morning. Could be a water pump, could be a freak thing.

I agree with the snapped belt idea. Take a picture underhood, and let us see if there is anything missing.

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shakran

The engine in the LS has 3 belts that would slip (causing a squealing sound). One drives the alternator. One drives the power steering. The other drives the air conditioner. You won't overheat your motor because the water pump is not belt driven. Well, it is, but it's driven by the timing belt, and if that had broken you'd know it because your engine would quit and you'd have heard the lovely sound of your valves being destroyed by the pistons

So relax on the belt issue - that's not what's wrong unless your steering is stiff, your air conditioner doesn't work, or your battery light is on.

I think you somehow got something between the rotor dust shield and the rotor on your brake. And I think it finally fell out, whacking something on the way out (that's the clunk you heard).

Bottom line? Probably nothing wrong at this point.

But while we're on the subject of belts, how many miles are on the car? If it's more than 90k, and the timing belt has never been changed, go get it changed yesterday. That thing breaks and you'll be rebuilding your engine's valvetrain.

No way to check for signs of wear because the timing belt is located where you can't see it just by opening the hood. It's a BIG job to get down to it, and if you don't know anything about cars, you don't want to even try.

BTW my first thought was brake pads too, but they shouldn't have stopped making the noise, so that's out.

It is most definitely NOT a wheel bearing. A bad wheel bearing makes an annoying low pitched grinding noise that gets louder if you put more weight on that wheel (i.e. you turn the car), and like the brake pads, a bad wheel bearing will not suddenly stop making the noise.

Jim Kata

about 125K.

I got the timing belt replaced about 3 years ago.

Thanks again for all the advice and thoughts...ill get a pic or two anyways...just in case.

Deltona Couple

I completely agree with this quote. sounds EXACTLY like what he was saying. either something got caught between the rotor and the backing plate, or caught up in the caliper area between the caliper and the rotor.

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