Chirp/warble "ree-ree-ree" sound from driver's front wheel

[cosmicdust]

So when I bought the SE, I had to have the front passenger wheel hub bearing replaced, so I am familiar with the “groan” or “howl” sound associated with that.

Recently, in the last few weeks, not long after I replaced the front pads and rotors, there has developed a definitely metallic chirping or warbling sound when the front driver’s wheel (I am 90% sure it is the driver side) is rotating. It is more a “ree-ree-ree” than “wah-wah-wah”.

It starts a few minutes after beginning driving if the car has sat for more than a half hour or so. It continues at nearly all speeds, from 20 mph in town to highway speeds. If I turn to the right it gets a little more pronounced, if I turn to the left even slightly (like a lane change or a slight adjustment) it stops.

The odd thing is (as if this is not odd enough), it goes away when I begin to accelerate even slightly, and goes away when I begin to brake. Even tapping on the pedal with no discernible braking power applied…it goes away. Then resumes when the car is “coasting” or under normal load.

Now I also know that I have camber wear, on both front tires, so I today when I am changing the oil I will be investigating the control arm bushings and the ball joints and taking a look at the calipers in case there is something rubbing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, all!

[sethjamesrimrodt]

I had he exact same issues! But I'm not 100% sure what fixed it, I replaced both my lower control arm (the bushings were bad so it let the wheel move) and a bad wheel bearing. I would check the wheel bearing for play by jacking that tire up and trying to rock it. That's what I did to fix mine, hopefully that help you.

[00Beast]

Sounds like a bad CV joint to me.

[sethjamesrimrodt]

Oh! I almost forgot that (cv shaft) was replaced at the same time.

[Archon]

Check to see if the anti-rattle clips, or the wear indicator on the pads may have been pushed too far and are contacting the rotor. Another area is the small part of the dust shield on the bottom near the ball joint. That has been known to start rubbing against the rotor and making a similar noise.

[theax40]

I have a similar wobbling sort of grind, only happens between like 30-40 mph. Only really happens when coasting, I was also thinking cv joint. I was wondering if I may have done something to it when I replaced the wheel bearing, the spindle was stuck inside the hub and it seemed like the axle nearly pulled out of the cv joint. Can you damage the cv joint while replacing a hub if it gets pulled out too far?