squeaking when turning mostly left

kleinkid · Post by **kleinkid** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:19 pm

'91 Legacy SS-- Have had a squeaking sound coming from the front wheel area, left side, most likely, several months now. Have already removed the caliper and cleaned and greased the pins. May have helped for a brief time. Really seems to get worse when the brakes get warmer. Pads in good shape, rotor not scored. Calipers are stock, three years old. Really believe it is worse when turning left, going slower, parking lot for instance. Goes away as speed increases. Not a continuous squeak. Noise, pause, noise, pause,noise, pause, etc. Warped rotor, or a wheel bearing? Any other ideas? Thanks. John.

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:10 pm

Does the noise change at all when going over bumps? You sure it's brake related, rather than suspension? springs, swaybar, endlink, etc?

roundeye · Post by **roundeye** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:17 pm

do the rotors have any rust ridges? if so, may be the pads rubbing when the bearing/ knuckle flex on turning. if the pads are dry and rusty where they contact the caliper, try some moly grease or copper brake grease.

kleinkid · Post by **kleinkid** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:49 am

I'll pull the wheel off again and inspect the pads closer.

Josh--When you apply the brakes the noise stops.

Post by **Legacy777** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:34 pm

What brakes do you have on your car? Stock brakes? Do you have brake clips on....the ones that go on the back of the brake pads?

asc_up · Post by **asc_up** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 5:20 pm

I had the same problem and it turned out to be a sticking caliper on the passenger's side, although it sounded like it was the driver's side. May as well jack the front end of the car up, spin the wheels and check.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:37 pm

Also make sure the backing plates are a quarter inch or more from the rotor.

kleinkid · Post by **kleinkid** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:22 pm

Using stock rotors, backing plates, Carbotech Bobcat pads.

Lunatech · Post by **Lunatech** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:49 pm

My bet is that the wheel bearing is on its way out.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:52 pm

I don't think there are aftermarket backing plates. I'm talking about the shielding behind the rotor. Sometimes that is close enough that when the rotor flexes, it contacts the rotor, but to look at it when stopped, there appears to be enough clearance. I found a quarter inch is a safe distance. Not saying it's your problem, just something else to look at.

kleinkid · Post by **kleinkid** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:20 am

Backing plate--wasn't sure what part you were referring to. Now I understand. Makes sense. I'll look at that also.

I had thought about the wheel bearing. Did both fronts about three years ago.

kleinkid · Post by **kleinkid** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 5:46 pm

Took the RF caliper apart and used a front seal kit for turbo model Subaru part 26297AA021 which includes guide pin boot, lock pin boot, piston seal, piston boot, and boot ring. These calipers are not OE but certainly were for the turbo brakes, but did not have the boot ring. The boot ring seals the piston boot to the piston bore.. Looks like dirt was allowed to get in around the outboard end of the piston which could have affected the piston from moving smoothly. Anyway, the squeeking is still there, so will do the LF next week. Anxiety level increasing, really don't want to do the bearings again if this doesn't fix the noise.

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squeaking when turning mostly left

squeaking when turning mostly left

seal kit 26297AA021