Hi,

I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX just about to reach the 75000 mile plateau. I'm starting to hear some noises and I want to find out what it is before I take it in to a mechanic.

When I back out from being parked, it sounds like something needs some wd-40. That type of noise. Sounds like its coming from the front passenger side of the car. The noise stops after starting to drive. Then after driving for a little bit, a metallic like static/scraping sound occurs (again sounds like its coming from the front passenger tire). However, when I press the brakes, the sound stops. It goes off and on for a little while and eventually the sound will go away.

I'm thinking it could be something with the brakes but if it was the brake pads wouldn't the sound occur WHEN i hit the brakes and not stop when the brakes are hit.

I don't know much about car mechanics and I don't have a mechanic I really trust yet. I'm hoping someone can try to diagnose the problem before I bring it in to a shop.

Your help is appreciated

Scott

 

This could be normal brake noise or abnormal brake noise. But it sounds to me like brake noise.

When you are off the brakes, the little vibrations carry out as a squeal or squeak.

When you get on the brakes and they get clamped down, the squeal or squeak is damped out and it stops.

Like hitting a cymbal and then grabbing it. The noise stops when you grab it.

Sometimes brakes do that. Sometimes they squeal when you hit the brakes because the squeak indicator is contacting the rotor.

Check your pads. Make sure they're not worn. Then make sure they're not cracked. Try putting "brake disc quiet" on the back of the pad where it contacts the caliper.

Has it been raining or snowing a lot? If you park, your rotors get a little rusty. When you start going, the rust starts to contact the pad ever so slightly and cause a squeal.

 

I wouldn't say it's been raining a lot lately but we have had a few days of rain. Snow not really.

the problem is, sometimes the noises don't occur at all. Usually the backing up noise does but sometimes the driving noise doesn't. It usually takes about 20 minutes of more or driving before the driving noise will start.

I don't want to bring it to a mechanic for them to send me away saying they did not hear anything. This has happened to me before when my heatshield was vibrating.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shirsc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldn't say it's been raining a lot lately but we have had a few days of rain. Snow not really.

the problem is, sometimes the noises don't occur at all. Usually the backing up noise does but sometimes the driving noise doesn't. It usually takes about 20 minutes of more or driving before the driving noise will start.

I don't want to bring it to a mechanic for them to send me away saying they did not hear anything. This has happened to me before when my heatshield was vibrating.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, check the brakes and see what you find. Just check around underneath the car and see what else could squeak when you rotate the wheels.

 

From what you have said, it sounds like your front pads are at the squealers, they make that noise when your at 3mm pad thickness. im 99.9% sure thats your problem