ok first i have 1991 special edition hatch..... i need new pads and rotors on the front badly! but i hear this noise sometimes...like the sound of a key being made...faint high pitched grinding noise. only when im moving..not when i just rev the engine. braking and steering seem to make it come and go erratically, could it be the bearings? cv joints? can bad brakes make a noise even when you're not on them? any ideas anyone?

thanks
Andrew

 

Brake pads. Like you said- you need new ones.

They have this little dingus thing that will squeal against the disc when the pad wears down enough.

 

Yup, you're gonna need both pads and rotors because there is a sensor on the pad that makes that noise and that means you need new pads....

 

what is the diff between a special edition and normal?

i see none..

 

so they can make noise even though im not on the brake eh?....hmmm....ok cool!....thanks!!!!!!

 

they made special editions here in canada in 91....basically a normal civic 1.5L but with some Si features...colour matched body (no black plastic on the bumpers...totally red car) and i think also an upgraded interior as well. but the main difference is the one colour paint job. normal civic under the hood.

 

dingus?....heh heh.

 

Yeah, that is the whole point behind the sensors. to make a loud annoying screeching noise all the time so you take your car in for service cuz you need NEW PADS. Not necessarily rotors, but getting a fresh cut surface on the rotors is always a good idea.....