Chirping noise
 

I have a chirping noise that comes on and off at low speeds, which makes it hard to record and it's, most of the time, faint but sometimes it's loud.

It started happening since I got a wheel bearing/hub replaced. It is starting to be annoying and I would like to know how to diagnose it. My brother did the installation and after I first noticed it, he verified and said there was nothing wrong with the bearing or the installation. What other things could I do to diagnose this issue?

https://youtu.be/grE8of8DHr4

Well, let's assume (I hate that word) that it's not the spring time HPFP crickets waking up from their winter nap.

So, the sound is coming from the front of the car? Left or right side? The same side that the wheel bearing was replaced?

You may consider taking the wheel off and checking the brake caliper/pads on that side to see if the pads are dragging or the caliper is sticking.



humfrz

Or try this... As it says on the 'tin' guaranteed to work ..

Posted a video. I do have some brake noise since I replaced them in September bjt more of a squeel, this doesn't always happen, but sometimes is more pronounced when I turn. It appears to be on the passenger side the bearing I replaced.

Thanks for posting the video, but my old ears can't hear anything unusual.

I would suggest that you jack the car up on that side and try to wiggle the tire from side to side and top to bottom. Then jack up the other side and compare what you feel. There shouldn't be hardly play in the hub/bearing.

If you feel a difference, I'd suggest you ask your brother to re-spec his work.

Also, take your car for a slow drive and turn the steering wheel abruptly back and forth and listen for any knocking sound.


humfrz

If you rewatch the video, it's not birds chirping, it's the car. I'll check the car next chance I get.

I turned up my HiFi sound system lol - if I'm hearing what you are hearing, the chirping is right at the end of the 4 sec clip, correct? Sounds rotational, metal-on-metal to me. Does it only happen when you're slowing down? Did you use an OEM bearing or some aftermarket creation? How was the brake assembly pulled (i.e. did the caliper get pulled by itself or with the bracket).

In my experience, if you are confident it only started up after the bearing replacement, the most likely issue would be brake related or bearing related. If the caliper was pulled followed by the bracket, or if the pads were dislodged in any manner, I'd check to make sure one of the guides isn't scraping against the rotor.

If the brakes check out, the bearing is next up. Personally, I suspect it would be fastest to pull the bearing and start over. I doubt it's a big safety issue (and I doubt you'd see enough hub play to make you confident it's the bearing). Just buy the OEM bearing if you didn't. If you went aftermarket and are intent on staying aftermarket, make sure it's a quality part that is well lubricated.

It's OEM, I have the philosophy of if OEM is fine, I stick with OEM. Unless it's clearly overpriced.

That's my general philosophy as well. If you're confident the bearing is seated, I'd just pull the wheel and double check that the brakes are scraping the rotor.