Wheel Squeak

#1

I developed a rotational squeak in my left rear wheel this weekend at Summit Point.
I ran all three 25-minute sessions on Saturday without an issue. After my first session on Sunday morning I heard a rotation squeak on my way from pit road back to the paddock. I pulled the wheel and everything looked fine and felt solid. It cooled down between sessions and as I was heading back out for the second session there was no noise. I could hear nothing out on the track, but on my way from pit road to the paddock after the second session it made the same noise again. Identical scenario for third session. The noise increases (or decreases) with wheel speed and seems to go away after it has had time to cool.
Does this sound like a wheel bearing (it’s brand new) or is a brake pad sticking (brand new HT-10s and rotor) after heating up? Is the rotor warping out of shape when hot and cooling back to flat or is it something else entirely?

Thanks.
Bob

#2

As you were going back to the paddock and heard the squeak, did you apply the brakes lightly and the squeak go away? I would bet that if you tried this it would go away and it is just the pads.

Michael
#36
Great Lakes Region

#3

Rob - I just had a rear wheel bearing go bad and it was more of a rumble than a squeak. It also changed in character when loading the bearing by turning the car side to side. I think Michael is right -

Ed

#4

ilateapex wrote:

[quote]As you were going back to the paddock and heard the squeak, did you apply the brakes lightly and the squeak go away? I would bet that if you tried this it would go away and it is just the pads.

Michael
#36
Great Lakes Region[/quote]

The first time it happened I did tap the brakes and the squeak went away. So I thought, OK - It must have been a sticking brake pad. When it happened again later I tried tapping the brakes and it didn’t go away.

edavidson wrote:

[quote]Rob - I just had a rear wheel bearing go bad and it was more of a rumble than a squeak. It also changed in character when loading the bearing by turning the car side to side. I think Michael is right -

Ed[/quote]

It was definitely a squeak and not a rumble and I didn’t get any side to side motion under loading. The car felt great the whole weekend. I’ll go with the sticking pad diagnosis.

Is there anything I can/should do to eliminate the sticking?

Thanks for the help.
Bob