Car: 92 Jetta
Issue: When warmed up (i.e. after some driving), one hears a rhythmic squeak-squeak-squeak when in motion.
Tests: Pulling e-brake doesn't affect it, therefore I'm ruling out rear brakes. Lightly touching the brake pedal makes it cease, comes back shortly after pedal is released. Slightly turning the wheel one way or the other can also make it briefly stop.
My best guess is front brake pads shifting / vibrating in their calipers. I seem to recall there were anti-squeak adhesive pads sold years ago due to this sort of issue. BTW, front pads & rotors are in good condition - relatively new. Only other thought would be a wheel bearing, but then why would use of the brake pedal affect the noise?
Anyone want to weigh in with either an alternate diagnosis, or a solution?
Thanks all!
if you have the slide style calipers, pull them off, clean out the sliders, relubricate them, and re assemble. Sometimes they hang up, causing the brakes to rub on the disk surface.
So reporting back here...
I tried pulling the two allen-head caliper bolts & lubricating them. No change.
I ordered two new anti-rattle clips & installed them. Drove a while tonight, and when driving in a straight line the squeak seems gone. What's interesting is that it comes back when I make a left turn. When I straighten out again it goes away. Also a brief squeak on initial application of the brakes.
Somehow it's related to the calipers & clips and how it all rides together, best as I can tell. Weird.